Movember has returned, and while the moustaches will always be a recognisable symbol, the purpose of this movement goes far beyond fundraising through facial hair.
At its core, Movember is about improving outcomes in men’s health, including early cancer detection, suicide prevention, and access to mental health support. By making these conversations more acceptable and visible, it helps break down the barriers that still stop many men from accessing support in the first place.
In this blog, we are focusing specifically on the mental health side of Movember and why so many men still struggle to access support when they need it most.
Are men less likely to access mental health support?
Recent data from RedArc, highlighted in COVER Magazine’s recent article, notes that women currently account for 59% of all mental health support accessed, compared to 41% of men. It was also highlighted that when men do engage, their time in support is shorter, with men spending around 25% less time in mental health services than women.
Campaigns like Movember matter because they make these stats more widely known, which opens up conversations surrounding men’s mental health and encourages men to access support earlier and for longer.
Why are men less likely to seek mental health support?
Even with awareness campaigns like Movember pushing conversations surrounding mental health support forward, according to Samaritans, there are still deeper reasons why men hesitate to seek support in the first place.
It is suggested that society’s expectations and traditional gender norms play a role in why men are less likely to open up or seek support for their mental health. Stereotypes of men being expected to hide emotion or appear “tough” persist, especially within media narratives. Vulnerability is often framed as a weakness, and men who show it are more likely to be mocked than supported. This creates an environment where seeking help feels like a risk rather than a strength, which ultimately discourages men from accessing the support they genuinely need.
What actually happens when men do get support?
Despite the lower access rates for men, outcomes actually tell a different story. When men do engage with mental health support, they see stronger results, reporting a 14% greater improvement compared to women.
The NHS stated that many men who use talking therapies say they feel listened to and taken seriously. In fact, 92% of men who completed talking therapy said they received the help they needed for most or all of their treatment, and 94% said staff listened and took their concerns seriously.
The importance of Movember in 2025
The recent data featured in COVER Magazine’s latest article reinforces why Movember remains so important. This campaign creates a moment in the year where conversations about men’s mental health feel more acceptable, which in turn lowers the social barrier.
Movember also sheds light on the real stats:
- Men aged 40 to 49 have the highest suicide rates in the UK.
- Men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women.
- Men report lower levels of life satisfaction than women.
- 87% of rough sleepers are men.
- Men are three times as likely as women to become dependent on alcohol and three times as likely to report frequent drug use.
Supporting men this Movember
Improving access to mental health support for men requires action on both an individual and organisational level. Small shifts in how we speak, respond, and signpost can make a noticeable difference in how comfortable men feel opening up. Empowering men to seek support earlier is not just about awareness; it is about creating environments that feel safe enough for men to be open about how they feel.
If you are concerned about a friend or relative, there are practical ways to support them:
- Remind them that you are there to listen without judgement.
- Stay in touch, especially if they seem withdrawn. A simple call or message can sometimes make all the difference.
- Encourage them to seek help and reassure them that accessing support is not a sign of weakness.
- Look into local services and option such as talking therapies or support groups and offer to help them explore what might suit them best.
Organisations that can help
There are many organisations that are available for those seeking support or wanting to better understand men’s mental health. Below are just a few but you can find more on Movember’s support webpage.
- NHS -111 (for when you need help but not in immediate danger)
- NHS – 999 (when you are in immediate danger and require emergency assistance)
- Shout
- CALM
- Samaritans
- MIND
Keeping momentum beyond Movember
Movember is the reminder, but the work cannot end in November. If men continue to face pressure to stay silent, the gender gap in mental health support will remain. The challenge now is to normalise these conversations every month of the year, not just during a campaign.
By listening without judgement, encouraging openness, and signposting support when needed, we can help make accessing help feel less daunting and more human for the men around us. The earlier men feel safe to talk, the sooner they can get the support that genuinely changes outcomes.