Hi everyone, I’m Ben - New Business Sales placement at ProspectSoft. Here at ProspectSoft, we’ve been getting our charity game on! Last month, we held a Macmillan Coffee Morning in aid of Cancer Research, and this month, it’s all about Movember!  
  
What is Movember?  
  
Every year, one in eight men are diagnosed with a mental health problem - a frighteningly high statistic. And, there are around 11,900 deaths from prostate cancer in the UK every year (which equates to 32 every single day). That’s why the team at ProspectSoft have decided to support the incredible charity that is Movember.  
 
Movember is the leading charity changing the face of men's health, and involves raising money in the month of November in a variety of ways to support men's mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer. 
 
The stigma around mental health is one of the biggest problems that men face, and can be a barrier to them seeking help – something I’ve experienced first-hand. The ‘strong and silent’ masculine ideal makes men feel pressured to not open up and communicate their feelings, which is why Movember is such a powerful charity to help normalise men speaking up. Mental health issues can affect anyone at any time, but men may find it more difficult to address and speak up about mental health issues than women. Men today need to speak out and be a man of more words.  
  
What is Prospect doing for Movember?  
  
There are a whole host of ways for people to get involved and raise money for Movember, making it super accessible and fun - from marathons to sponsored walks and cycling. But, Movember is known for people growing a silly moustache and raising money! As a team, we’re challenging ourselves to walk, run and cycle; for the 60 men we lose to suicide every hour across the world. Our aim is to cover 280 miles (the distance from our office in Oxford all the way to Paris)!  
  
What can you do if you’re struggling with mental health?  
  
If you find yourself feeling down, overwhelmed, or have a low mood and find you’re unable to shift it on your own, take action: 
1. Talk to someone you trust (like a friend, parent, guardian or colleague), especially when things are tough.  
2. Get moving! Exercising (even just a short walk) can do great things for your body and mental state.  
3. Take a break. You don’t need to solve every challenge today, so give yourself some downtime. 
4. Get out and do something you enjoy with a friend.  
5. If you’ve tried some of these things and still feel low, then talk to a professional for advice and support – we’ve added details of some professional support contacts towards the end of this blog. 
   
Ways for you to get involved! 
  
If this blog has inspired you to get involved in Movember, take a look at their site here. Or, you can donate to Movember via our team’s page here (as little or as much as you like!). 
  
Details for professional help 
 
If you do need any professional advice then please contact Samaritans. They’re available 24 hours a day and provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress, despair, or suicidal thoughts. There are also plenty of alternative support links on Movember’s page right here.