As the chill of November sets in (not locally though), a different kind of change is cultivated across the faces of men worldwide. The month, now colloquially termed ‘Movember’, is no longer just about growing mustaches but has developed into a movement that advocates for men’s health, with a particular emphasis on mental health and emotional wellbeing. Movember’s mission is poignant and increasingly pertinent in today’s society. It’s a call to action, urging us to pay attention to how we socialise boys and young men to handle their emotions.

Recognising and Addressing the Gender Disparity in Global Suicide Rates

The prevalent gender disparity in suicide rates across different countries cannot be ignored. According to the Times of Malta (July 22, 2023), in Canada and the UK, 75% of suicides are committed by men, and, in the US, an astonishing 79% of suicides involve men. In Malta, it was 80% in 2022. Although the differences in suicide rates have been acknowledged for quite a while, there has been a disheartening lack of effective solutions.

The Role of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Boys’ Development

The ‘Movember’ campaign sheds light on a crucial aspect often overlooked in traditional education systems: the need for emotion regulation strategies to be taught from a young age, particularly to boys. This approach could be key to acknowledging and tackling the issue of worldwide suicide rates. Emotion regulation is the ability to exert control over one’s own emotional state. It involves processes such as identifying emotions, accessing emotion regulation strategies, and recognising the consequences of emotional responses. For boys, who are often socialised to suppress their emotions, the lack of these critical skills can lead to adverse outcomes, including higher risks of mental health issues, difficulty in forming relationships, and underachievement in academic and professional domains.

Implementing emotion regulation strategies in schools can be transformative. When boys learn to understand and manage their emotions, they are better equipped to face challenges, build strong relationships, and maintain mental well-being. This education can take various forms, such as:

Curriculum Integration: Including social-emotional learning (SEL) within the school curriculum can provide a structured way for boys to develop these skills. SEL teaches self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

Combating Stigma: Movember is an opportune time to challenge the stigma around men’s emotional expression. By encouraging emotional regulation from a young age, schools can cultivate a culture of openness, reducing the stigma and fostering an environment where boys and men can seek support without fear of judgment.

Discussion Groups: Facilitate discussion groups or forums where students can talk about mental health and emotional well-being in a safe space.

Role Modelling: Teachers and staff can serve as role models, demonstrating healthy emotion regulation and providing boys with real-life examples of how to cope with various emotional situations.

Parental Involvement: Educating parents on the importance of emotion regulation and how they can support their children’s emotional development at home is crucial. This can create a supportive environment both inside and outside the school.

Movember’s Broader Impact

The Movember movement brings attention to the importance of these strategies, recognising that mental health is as critical as physical health. By encouraging men to talk about their feelings and challenging the stigma around emotional expression, Movember is helping to pave the way for a cultural shift. The movement also serves as a reminder that emotional education should not be confined to just one month of the year. Instead, it underscores the ongoing need for these practices to be integrated into our educational systems worldwide.

Conclusion

Movember is more than a campaign; it’s a resounding wake-up call to prioritise the emotional well-being of boys and young men. Implementing emotion regulation strategies in schools is not just a necessary educational reform; it’s a vital public health initiative. As we foster the emotional intelligence of boys, we cultivate a generation of men who are not only healthier and happier but also more empathetic and engaged in their relationships. In this, we find the true spirit of Movember: nurturing the growth of the individual and the betterment of society at large.

Should you be interested in implementing an emotion regulation intervention programme at your school, please feel free to reach out to me via email at erikagalea@educationalneurosciencehub.com.