November Focuses on Men's Wellness

 

Since the start of the school year, the club has sold bracelets and chuck-a-pucks during the intermissions of Spartan Hockey games to raise funds for cancer research.

After pointing out that September was Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and that October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Mr. Rioux focused on November and men’s health.

“Men’s health is in crisis. Men are dying on average 4.5 years earlier than women, and for largely preventable reasons,” he said. “A growing number of men – around 10.8 million globally – are facing life with a prostate cancer diagnosis. Globally, testicular cancer is the most common cancer among young men. And across the world, one man dies by suicide every minute of every day, with males accounting for 69% of all suicides.”

This past month, a number of male students and teachers participated in Movember, growing a moustache to raise money and awareness for men’s health issues.

This Friday, school nurse Max Boulay is organizing an evening dedicated to men’s self-care.

Earlier in the week, prefects Henry and Mathieu gave a short presentation on International Men’s Day, which was November 19. The day encourages men to teach the boys in their lives about the responsibilities of being a man and the importance of being a good role model.

“So today we ask you to reach out to the important men in your life who are positive role models,” said Henry, “be it a coach, a teacher, a brother, a father, a grandfather, or a member of your community. Reach out and make sure they know how much you appreciate them.”