#Represent Newsletter (11.20.19)

In the United States, men have a suicide rate 3.5 times higher than women. Men are also more likely to die from heart disease and cancer than their female counterparts. Worldwide, 78.7% of homicide victims are male. 

Yesterday, November 19th, marked International Men's Day. The celebration of this day encourages men to #Represent who they are and to defy the stereotypes that would define them. It also coincides with Movember, which is a fundraising and awareness campaign that promotes conversations about men’s mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

With #Represent, we aim to eliminate the stereotypes of gender, race, class, age, sexual orientation, religion, ability, or circumstance. We need to support each other and teach the men and boys in our life that they don't need to conform to toxic masculinity to be men of character who contribute to society in a significant way. We are whole, complex human beings and we can't be defined or constrained by any label.

If you aren't sure how to begin the conversations, check out the resources International Men's Day has provided here!