Barking Space

We are halfway through November, and I thought I would write something personal that sheds light on why I do what I do.

A few months ago, I lost my job. I had worked there for twenty-four years, and while I maintained a calm demeanor when it happened, it felt like the ground had been pulled out from under me.

Indeed, literally two days after the event, I attended the birthday party of a good friend. Attendees were folks from the industry that I was so recently an official part of (or they ran in circles interwoven into telecommunications) and they were all successful. So, while I maintained a jovial front and tried to look at the positive side of things, it felt like I was on the outside looking in. I had a breakdown that night when I went to bed.

Now some time has passed. While my mood has plummeted a few times, the funks become less frequent. Again, throughout this period, people have told me that I am “surprisingly calm” or they “admire my positivity” – and while I appreciate those sentiments, I don’t always feel like I live up to them. Part of the curse of trying to put on a brave face is that people don’t really feel the need to check up on you because they think that you are doing just fine – while the reason that you are trying to be positive is to ensure that you don’t bring anyone else down.

I’m not writing this to garner sympathy for myself. I am blessed with a wonderful family and a close circle of extremely supportive friends.

Unfortunately, there are other guys that aren’t so lucky. This is why I do Movember – to try and make a difference.

The stats are pretty shocking:

• 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime
• Globally, men die 4.5 years earlier than women.
• Testicular cancer is the most common cancer affecting young men
• In Canada, 3 of 4 suicides are men

This article that I’m writing addresses that last part. Unfortunately, we don’t take the time to really look at the struggles of those around us. Men tend to keep to themselves in order to save face, and many times it ends up being fatal.

If you know me, you know last year I went big on raising funds to change the face of men’s health. And this year, I’m hell-bent on doing it again.

Will you donate?

Filed under: Interactive, Movember, Special Events | Tagged: Men's Health, Men's Mental Health, Mental Health, Movember, Movember Foundation |