‘Movember is my favourite month’: Southern Albertans growing moustaches for men’s health

Movember is now well underway and men’s health is at the forefront of many conversations.

Brendan Attrill is one of many southern Albertans displaying his unshaven moustache for awareness — but has also taken it one step further.

In 2020, Attrill started his clothing brand “For The Ones” in remembrance of his uncle, who struggled with mental health.

“I know that especially being a man, there’s all these stigmas that you just have to be OK, so this is like a way for me to show other people that it’s OK not to be OK,” he said.

The majority of sales goes toward mental health organizations such as the Movember Foundation, who is dedicated to raising awareness for men’s health issues, including testicular and prostate cancer.

Last year, he raised more than $1,200.

Get weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.

Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“We’ve got a huge Movember collection,” Attrill said.

“Movember is my favourite month. It’s like Christmas. I love waking up to this month and just growing a dusty moustache.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Movember is my favourite month. It's like Christmas. I love waking up to this month and just growing a dusty moustache."

With support for his brand growing, and sales popping up in other parts of Canada, Attrill is glad to have created a safe space for anyone who may be struggling.

“Reach out. I know it’s so much easier to say. I struggle with it too sometimes,” he said.

“Hopefully you go to sleep, wake up and every day is a new day, new opportunities.”

4:32 Why this year’s ‘Movember’ campaign is more important than ever

Also participating in Movember is the Town of Claresholm.

Municipal enforcement officer Kyle Aikema decided to launch some friendly competition between four groups: the fire department, town staff, RCMP and the local high school.

“Right now we’re at $380 raised but our goal is to get up to $2,000 and then be able to give that to the foundation that they’re able to distribute worldwide wherever the help is needed,” Aikema explained.

“The number of people participating is a lot more than expected, which is very encouraging.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The number of people participating is a lot more than expected, which is very encouraging."

Sgt. Robert Harms with Clareshom and Nanton RCMP said their department has 100 per cent participation.

Up until now, he had held on to his moustache for years.

“One thing I did to show my commitment to the challenge and to the cause was I shaved a moustache that I’ve never shaved before. I had my moustache since high school.

“It is likely that I’ll shave my moustache again (next year), it’s a great cause”