Let’s Get’er MOin!

MOvember is here, and I MOst certainly moustache you for a MOment of your time!

My name is Paul Cowan, and behind this soon-to-be-questionable upper lip sweater is a very real MOtivation. I MO for those whose voices are not yet heard, for those struggling in silence, and in memory of those we’ve lost to suicide. This month, I’m growing a duster to help grow something much bigger: awareness, connection, and support for men’s mental health.

A little MO laughter. A little MO conversation. A whole lot MO compassion.

People often describe me as energetic, fun-loving, and passionate about life. That’s only part of my story. Another part is that I have lived through thoughts of suicide and battled mental illness for more than half my life. I’m 38 now. My journey toward understanding mental health, and making sense of my own mental illness, began at 16. That understanding continues to grow.

Today, life feels brighter than it did a few years ago. But brighter doesn’t mean every day is easy. I still struggle. I still have shortcomings in my personal life, professional life, friendships, and relationships, including ones people may never see. I have plenty of growing to do, and this month, only some of it will happen above my lip.

I’m sharing from somewhere in the middle of my own journey, with MO work to do and MO reasons to keep going.

My story is far more complex than one post, and yours probably is too. If you need to talk, you ain’t heavy. You don’t have to earn support by reaching a breaking point, and you don’t need the perfect words to start a conversation.
You matter MO than you know.

This MOvember, I’m also sharing one mental health question a day for 30 days on social media. Answer publicly, privately, with someone you trust, or simply to yourself. Maybe even have the conversation around the dinner table. Join in at whatever stage of vulnerability feels right for you. These questions are an invitation to reflect, connect, and make a little MO room for honesty.

When I was younger, I did some truly ridiculous things with my facial hair. Now that I’m a supposedly responsible husband, dad, and educator, MOvember is my annual opportunity to let the lip lettuce loose. Looking forward to letting the MO take form.

Whether you’re a MO Bro, MO Sister, or simply MO curious, there’s room for you in this MOvement. Donate if you can, check in on someone, learn about men’s mental health, or make time for a conversation that goes beyond “I’m fine.”

MO connection. MO listening. MO support. MO reasons to keep going.
This last part is important. Moving schools, I was reminded of one of the reasons I became an educator: teachers were there for me during some of my lowest moments. They helped me feel seen and gave me people to turn to when I was struggling to understand what was happening inside me.

I want to be that person for students facing their own battles. For the student whose sadness stretches on for weeks. For the student who seems angry all the time but doesn’t yet have the words to explain why.

I remember being angry. I remember the pain that ate away at me inside, and the urge to hurt myself in an attempt to numb it. Those memories stay with me. They remind me to look beyond the behaviour and make room for the conversation a student may not know how to begin.

I won’t always get it right. But I want my students to know they can come to me, that I will listen, and that we can work together to find support.

That’s the heart of my MOtivation. Raising awareness and funds, challenging stigma, and helping prevent suicide. Helping someone feel heard, understood, and less alone.

So here’s to embracing our weird, finding some huMOur, building MOmentum, and turning a little upper lip nonsense into something meaningful.

On your marks. Get set. MO!

Cheers, y’all. Let’s Get’er MOin!