Activist reveals why he supports Movember as it celebrates 20 years

In 2021, ambulances in Australia responded to more than 16,800 call outs for the same situation, yet as a nation we’re still not talking about this silent health battle nearly enough.

It’s no secret that the conversation around men’s mental health needs to change from hushed whispers to shouting it from the rooftops.

Movember, an annual event encouraging people to grow moustaches through the month of November to raise awareness of men’s health issues, is celebrating its 20th year.

Tarang Chawla, who was named Young Victorian of the Year in 2017 for his activism surrounding family violence, has been involved in the event for a number of years.

He is no stranger to sharing his own experience with mental health, opening up in 2019 to SBS Punjabi about his battles and suicide attempt.

Tarang Chawla, who was named Young Victorian of the Year in 2017 for his activism surrounding family violence, has been involved with Movember for a number of years. Picture: Supplied

“I think it’s so important to be open and candid for everyone, but especially for men, because we haven’t historically been open about this stuff. We haven’t, we haven’t been willing to talk about some of these issues, to our own detriment,” he told news.com.au.

He said, particularly as someone with South Asian Indian background in Australia, he felt a responsibility to do so with his platform as not only do people of similar backgrounds experience the same challenges, they are often compounded by factors such as racism and discrimination.

Tarang also said these conversations need to be had all year round, and that speaking up shows that mental health is something that impacts everybody.

According to Suicide Prevention Australia, men make up three quarters of suicides in Australia.

In 2021, ambulances responded to more than 16,800 calls from men who were experiencing suicidal ideation and a further 9,000 ambulances were called out to a suicide attempt.

“I think that as a society, we really need to see a shift in the attitudes towards men opening up and being vulnerable,” Tarang said.

Tarang, pictured with Hamish and Andy, said community is so important. Picture: Supplied

“I think that we expect men to just be open now – because we know that has benefits – but we don’t give them the support to do so.”

He said it could be mental health professionals who didn’t feel equipped to help, or the response from friends, partners and family members.

“They’re just saying, ‘hey, I need a hand’. They’re not saying ‘carry me and lift me completely out of the situation’,” Tarang said.

“And this idea that surrounds all mental health is that if someone opens up about their mental health issues, somehow they’re incapable. I still see people who talk about mental health issues be stigmatised and discriminated against in the workplace be treated differently by others.

“But it’s as common as anything else. If someone said to you that they had hurt their knee, and they’ve gone to see a physio you wouldn’t like think twice about it. Whereas if someone says that they’re talking to a psychologist, or they got their mental health care plan, there’s still something in the majority of the population that makes them question or makes them think that’s a little bit untoward. Right? And that’s what we’re trying to change.”

He said there are a lot of reasons why men are vulnerable, and one such thing is oppressive masculinity – putting men into certain roles and limiting them. The other is the reactions from the people around them and their ability, or lack thereof, to provide support.

Tarang has been open about his own mental health journey. Picture: Supplied

“I think that one of the reasons for poor outcomes for men’s mental health in Australia is the lack of community. I think that we look at other countries where men have comparatively better mental health, and they may be from lower socio economic groups or not have some of the some of the kinds of positives that Australia has for men, but what’s common among other countries is a sense of community,” he said.

He said community has positive outcomes for mental health, and he thinks the absence of that, particularly as men get older, and societal expectations of men being the main breadwinner and not showing vulnerability perpetuates a cycle of men struggling until it’s too late.

He said mental health impacts all groups across all demographics, and a sense of community can help those feelings of despair.

“I think that it’s so important that we support spaces for men to build communities that can have a positive impact, and are geared around healthy expressions of masculinity so that they’re not just spaces for men to hate on women or hate on marginalised groups,” he said.

He wants community groups to expand outside of alcohol and sport. Picture: Supplied

“There needs spaces for men to explore their other interests, identify with other aspects of their personality, and developed the strong connections outside of sport, alcohol and gambling.

“Australian men are crying out for other options.”

Tarang said he has always enjoyed Movember, and being part of it, because the motto is “changing the face of men’s mental health”.

He said it started with being able to grow a moustache for a month, something he said he could always do better than most of his friends.

“For me, it was like this fun and novel, and kind of quirky way, to start conversations about things that a lot of men wanted to talk about, but didn’t know how to,” he said.

Not only does the charity support men’s mental health, but also health issues such as testicular cancer that can impact men at any and all stages of his life.

“I’ve seen their ongoing commitment to this idea that healthy men and healthy masculinity means a healthier world. That’s something I believe it. It’s something that I want to be part of. So for me, in that sense, it’s kind of a no-brainer to stay involved,” he said.

“This hairy season, unite to take on mental health and suicide, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. Donate now at Movember.com. Raise funds and save lives.”