As a way of changing the face of men’s health a group from Melbourne, Victoria organized an event challenging each other to grow a mustache for 30 days, to raise awareness for prostate cancer and depression in men. That was more than ten years ago.
The Movember Challenge has made its way from Australia to campuses throughout the United States, including Utah State University.
It is not unusual to find students with facial hair at the state's Northern Utah University. After all, they are the Aggie's and take claim to the kilt, bagpipes, and other Scottish traditions. Besides, it is cold and keeping your face warm from the strong Logan Canyon winds isn't a bad thing.
“I think you will find a higher percentage of students in this college that enjoy having facial hair,” said Liz Winters who serves on the USUQuinney College of Natural Resources student council.
The college sponsors an annual Loggers Ball. The event mascot is Paul Bunyan. The brawny flannel clad figure is seen watching over the ball. His full head of hear and bearded face set the standard for what is expected of the male students participating in the evening’s beard growing contest.
Fisheries students Levi Simmonds and Richard Buys said growing facial hair during any month is not unusual for them but doing it in Movember is a nice coincidence.
“I won the burliest beard award last year,” Simmonds said. “I stopped shaving about a year and a half ago when I went to the arctic for research purposes. I haven’t shaved since then.”
“It is hard for me because it doesn’t come as full and so it comes in a little patchy,” Buys said. “I have to do some major trims to help it even out.”
To help those taking the Movember challenge groom and care for their facial hair the Movember Foundation has provided support through their website and YouTube. Several of the instructional videos feature actor Nick Offerman who plays the man with the mustache (Ron Swanson) in the television series Parks and Recreation.
Offerman is an official spokesperson for the Movember Foundation which is one of many groups focusing on facial hair this month as a way of promoting men’s physical and mental health. And with good reason. A recent survey by the MF found men they surveyed admitting they are lonely, and don't have friends to turn to in a crisis. The organization encourages both men and women to support the male population by reminding them that Movember is a good time to join a gym and schedule mental and physical health screenings.
