Reslife: International Mens Day

International Mens Day is on the 19th November and was founded in 1999 by Dr Jerome Teelucksingh. Calls for an international mens day have been around since the 1960’s but it took nearly 40 years to officially establish an international day to recognise the achievements and struggles facing men today.

The 6 Pillars of the International Men’s Day movement are

1. To promote positive male role models; not just movie stars and sports men but every day, working class men who are living decent, honest lives,
2. To celebrate men’s positive contributions to society, community, family, marriage, child care, and to the environment,
3. To focus on men’s health and wellbeing; social, emotional, physical and spiritual,
4. To highlight discrimination against men; in areas of social services, social attitudes and expectations, and law,
5. To improve gender relations and promote gender equality,
6. To create a safer, better world; where people can be safe and grow to reach their full potential.
   

Since 1999 the methods of commemorating International Men’s Day have included the giving and receiving of gifts, public seminars, forums, conferences, classroom activities at schools, Men’s Health events, Movember fundraisers,  radio and television programs, Parliamentary speeches, Government Observances, Church observances, prayer meetings, peaceful gatherings and marches, awards ceremonies, special retail promotions, music concerts and art displays etc.

It is a special time to make mention of the brave men who protect our communities in the military and emergency services such as: Police, Fire Fighters, Ambulance Officers and Hospital Emergency Departments. Key people in Charities, Religion, Government, Business and Academia that help create a fair and safe society for others.

International Men’s Day can simply be celebrated by spending intentional time with the men in your life, in appreciation of how they enrich the lives of those around them. You might want to write a letter to your friends and family, letting them know how much you admire them and how they have contributed to your life.

So what are some of the challenges facing men currently?

1. men have a suicide rate 3 times higher than women
2. 1 in 3 men have been the victims of domestic violence
3. men on average die 4-5 years before women
4. men are nearly twice as likely to suffer from lung cancer than women
5. men are nearly twice as likely to suffer from heart disease than women
   

What can we do to change this?

1. We can look out for each other, check in on a friend more regularly to see how they are doing
2. Be kind to one another, it’s been an especially tough year this year, show some more patience, love, kindness, forgiveness
3. Encourage each other, let’s support those that we know are struggling at this time