New partnership boosts access to mental health support
Free, online mental health support will be promoted to millions of men, thanks to the funds raised by our incredible Mo community.
In fact, we’re investing no less than CAD $1.90 million in a strategic partnership with Togetherall, a digital mental health community platform currently available to over 10 million people, worldwide.
The move is part of our strategy to build on Movember’s men’s mental health awareness campaigns by investing in online support that can be scaled up safely to meet the needs of large numbers of men.
Togetherall is a peer-to-peer mental health support community, available 24/7. It allows users to share their concerns anonymously to get advice and support from fellow members. Licensed and registered mental health practitioners monitor the community to ensure the safety and anonymity of all members.
Togetherall is available in the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand. The service is accessed through participating employers, universities, colleges, or healthcare providers. All UK armed forces personnel, veterans, and their families (16+) also have free access.
Currently, around a quarter (24%) of Togetherall users are men and the aim of the collaboration is to increase the number of men using the service.
A major concern among men
The results of a six-month research project, commissioned by Movember looking at the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of men across the UK, Canada, and Australia, revealed over half (52%) of men suffered from poor wellbeing and over a quarter (26%) per cent met the World Health Organization’s criteria for depression. Globally, three out of four suicides are by men, and it remains the leading cause of death for men under the age of 44.
Michelle Terry, CEO at Movember, said: “We know from our own research that men’s mental health has been seriously impacted by the pandemic. But although awareness of mental health issues has never been higher, some men still seem to find it harder to take action when they need it.
She added: “We believe that online peer-to-peer mental health support could be a key part of the solution. Offering a space where men can share their experiences and work through their problems surrounded by a supportive community, while remaining anonymous, could remove some of the barriers that prevent them from opening up in the first place.
“We have 18 years of experience in working with men – we know how to talk to them and what works for them. We are looking forward to working with Togetherall to further develop a tool that enables more men to manage their own mental health and achieve longer, healthier, happier lives.”
" We know from our own research that men’s mental health has been seriously impacted by the pandemic. "
Urgent action required
Togetherall’s CEO, Henry Jones, highlighted the urgency of the issue. He said: “As Movember’s research highlights, the scale of the impact that poor mental health is having on men requires urgent attention; this starts by breaking down barriers which prevent men from seeking support. Our aim is to make support seeking easier and address the need at scale.
“We are so proud that Movember has recognised the value in Togetherall’s community model and is investing with us to together improve men's mental health.
“With a purpose-driven mission and passionate team, Movember aligns with our social impact goals. By working alongside a well-respected authority on men’s health, and by learning from their expertise, we will together engage with more men seeking support to improve their mental health.”