Movember — it's a serious subject with a hairy object at its heart.
November is upon us, and aside from signalling an imminent farewell to the year 2023, the month brings an array of men sprouting and fashioning facial hair for an excellent cause — Movember.
The Movember movement focuses on three areas: mental health, suicide prevention and prostate and testicular cancer.
Robert Dunne is the Country Manager for Movember in New Zealand, and he kicks off the first of our Ask Me Anything series: Questions for Kiwis, Kiwis answer back.
Let’s start with a biggie: How are you today, Rob?
"Really good, thanks. The first week of Movember is always a big one and it really takes it out of you. But I’m feeling recharged now - the support that our community gives is extremely motivating and always keeps me going."
Finish this sentence: Movember is…
"Movember is absolutely driven to change the face of men’s health."
You’ve worked with Movember for over a decade. What made you want to be involved with the cause from the get-go?
"I first got involved in Movember nearly 20 years ago while on my OE in London. It appealed because it was a completely different way to engage with a good cause, which was all about raising awareness and having fun while doing it.
"While the charity (and myself!) have matured over the years, the enjoyment that it gives me and the people who participate remains something that keeps me in my role."
What have you learned about yourself since working in the mental health space?
"It would have to be realising and believing that we all have a really important role to play in changing men’s health.
"When I first started, I saw my role as a fundraiser who could help men by funding programmes that drive change. I didn’t think I had the skills or influence to impact or improve men’s health issues.
"I now genuinely believe that perhaps the best programme we fund is our Movember campaign, which I am significantly involved in, and I feel that I can contribute to helping men on their health journeys."
Men struggle to show their emotions: Do you think that's a gender stereotype or is there some truth to that statement?
"There is a lot of truth to it, yes, but men are significantly better than we give them credit for - and they are continuing to get better. It shows up differently, it’s not always as overt, and that’s why Movember has a gendered lens. Men are different and at times we try to tell them to show up in ways that aren’t in line with how they are feeling."
What does mental health mean to you?
"It’s an awareness and understanding of ourselves and the people around us. We can have good mental health and bad mental health, just like our physical health - and like our physical health, knowledge is power, the more we know about ourselves, friends and whanau, the better we can handle what life throws at us."
How do you feel about the mental health conversation in New Zealand in 2023 — are we making progress?
"I genuinely think we are, more than perhaps is really acknowledged. Unfortunately, it’s the bad stuff that makes the headlines or is spoken about in our communities, but every day I see people who are determined to make progress and normalise looking out for themselves and their mates.
"When I started at Movember 12 years ago it was near impossible to even get a conversation going about mental health. Now I am invited into perceived ‘staunch environments’ on the daily to discuss mental health and these invites are from bosses and managers, not just passionate Mo Bros. Things are certainly changing for the better, but the issues we are tackling are significant so we need to keep going."
How’s your Mo looking, Rob?
"There’s no such thing as a bad Mo in Movember - my options are limited, so another mid-sized slug is coming along nicely."
What are your top tips for grooming and keeping a Mo in top condition?
"Embrace it, shave and shape every day. Work with what you’ve got - and remember, every mo is a great great mo!"
You’re at a social gathering. A friend introduces you to someone you don’t know. How would they describe you?
"I hope they will say a friendly guy who loves a laugh and asks a lot of questions."
What's the one thing about you that few people know?
"I'm a pretty open book. I wish there was a bit more mystery at times, but my job requires me to be out and about a lot, and I do my best to be open about life and how I’m feeling - I’ve got to practise what I preach. I really love coaching my kids' sports teams and helping out at school and I still play a bit of sport myself, but not too many secrets, sorry."
Can you describe a threshold moment in your life and its impact on you?
"Definitely becoming a father. I have identical twin boys and a daughter. They truly are the thing in life that is 100% mine and my wife’s in every way, both a product and reflection of us and our responsibility. I am determined to help them in the world and guide them to be good people and ensure they understand that being able to connect with people could perhaps be the most valuable trait a person can have."
What’s a good quote to live by?
"I often think of the quote I see circulating social media quite a bit: 'A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.'
"It becomes more meaningful as you get older. On the flip side, a huge focus of mine recently has been to live and appreciate each day.
"Life certainly seems to move faster as I get older and I don’t want to look too far ahead and miss the great stuff that happens under my nose every day."
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