A Hidden Health Crisis
The newest facet of Movember has been the issue of mental health problems and suicide among men. According to the Centers for Disease Control, suicide rates among Latinos grew 8.1% in 2016. Of that number, three out of every four cases are likely to be Latino men. As the rush of recent suicides of high profile men have shown us, mental well being is elusive to many men no matter what age, stage or position in life.
The Movember Foundation views mental health problems as a “hidden health crisis,” and one that is not considered a global priority. They find that most men would rather “tough it out” when dealing with issues of mental health, rather than seek treatment despite the fact that 1 in 4 adults will experience mental health trouble in their lifetime.
To help solve this problem, the foundation has formed the Making Connections initiative through a partnership with the Prevention Institute, a non-profit organization specializing in preventing health issues before they occur. The initiative funds 14 communities across the U.S. with a focus on creating healthy connections among men and boys who are at risk of developing mental health issues due to stressors such as economic problems and psychological trauma.
If you think that you or someone you know might be at risk of self-harm, immediate help can be found by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).