Get Moving This Movember And Support #mertontachetag
Merton Council is raising awareness of men's health
Merton Council is supporting the national campaign Movember to raise awareness of men’s health with a giant moustache.
The moustache is moving around the borough during November to reflect the theme of getting people to move around more.
Residents and staff from the council’s partner organisations are being encouraged to have their photographs taken with the moustache and upload them to their social media accounts using the hashtags #mertontachetag and #movember.
The council is backing the Movember Foundation’s efforts to raise awareness of conditions affecting men, including prostate and testicular cancers, mental health and suicide.
In Merton men die, on average four years earlier than women and three out of four suicides are committed by men. Being more active can help men live longer lives and this year Movember is promoting the benefits of exercise which can help improve mental as well as physical health.
The One You Merton website has lots of tips and advice about getting active and there are outdoor gyms in a number of the parks across the borough.
Merton Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, Councillor Tobin Byers, said: “Men are less likely to talk about their health and general wellbeing or visit their GP than women and this can mean that some serious illnesses are not diagnosed at the earliest opportunity.
“I am very pleased to be able to support the #mertontachetag campaign to raise awareness of the support available. I would also urge people to move about more, which has so many benefits for mental and physical health.”
Councillor Tobin Byers, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, and senior executives from the Merton Partnership who represent statutory and voluntary sector organisations in the borough.
November 3, 2017