Movember Underway at SMCS
St. Michael’s College School (SMCS) is coming together to support Movember, raising money and awareness for men’s mental health, suicide prevention, and prostate and testicular cancer. The Wellness Team and a group of Mo Mentor teachers are leading the many activities happening this month, with several ways for students and staff to participate. SMCS students participating in a lunch and learn session with Movember Canada’s Pete Whish and Samir Mourani. “Movember is more than a wellness initiative—it’s a powerful opportunity to bring our school community together through awareness, conversation, learning, and action,” says Alessandra Lombardi, teacher and wellness team moderator. “Through engaging activities, learning sessions, and shared experiences, students and staff build healthier habits, stronger connections, and a deeper understanding of physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Most importantly, Movember helps young men develop resilience, seek support when needed, and support others, fostering a culture of wellness, compassion, and community that extends far beyond November. It empowers our students and staff to focus on their well-being and build a community of belonging and personal growth.” The Movember Foundation states that men die on average five years earlier than women, often from causes that could have been prevented. More than two-thirds of suicide deaths worldwide are men. Every year, over 1.4 million men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, and more than 109,000 are diagnosed with testicular cancer. Men’s health is also a theme in this year’s Blue Notes journaling sessions, a weekly programme that teaches students how to think about, reflect on, and write about specific themes aligned with the SMCS mission and vision. “We are home to 825 young men—at a time when men account for two of every three deaths by suicide and are less likely to seek help for physical and mental health concerns, and help-seeking behaviours are not just important, they are
