Thanks to you, we’re funding a world-first beyondblue project involving thousands of men.

A world-first research project, funded by the Movember Foundation and managed by beyondblue, involving thousands of men, including former AFL footballers, refugees and fly-in-fly-out workers, will aim to end the embarrassment that stops them from getting help for conditions such as depression and anxiety. 

The STRIDE (Stigma Reduction Interventions: Digital Environments) project is comprised of six smaller projects that use technology, such as apps and websites, along with evidence-based techniques to show men that taking action on mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of.

The Movember Foundation’s Executive Director of Programs, Paul Villanti, said STRIDE’s scope meant it would include a wide range of at-risk men.

“Each of these six projects will drive men within the target communities to confront any negative or stigmatising attitudes they hold about mental health conditions. Stigmatising beliefs can be the biggest barriers to men getting help but STRIDE will aim to remove these barriers and save lives,” he said.

"In the Tell Your Story project, 600 refugees with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will hear stories in their first language, from fellow refugees with PTSD who have sought support,” he said. “Participating men will learn why their fellow refugees sought help and how it made them feel better. The program will challenge common myths, support men to reach out for assistance and to tell their own story."

“Another project, Real Courage, will have up to 1,000 former AFL players, coaches and construction workers involved. These men come from male-dominated environments, where traits such as self-reliance and stoicism are celebrated and where men can suddenly find themselves sidelined due to injury or other factors, which can lead to loss of self-esteem and shifts in the way they see themselves. To encourage conversations, ambassadors from these communities will share their stories.”

“As a catalytic funder of men’s health programs globally, the Movember Foundation is proud to donate funds to this ground-breaking program. It’s thanks to funds raised by the Mo community that we are able to support innovative programs such as this.”

The projects commence on July 1 and will run for two years before being evaluated. The results will be analysed to find the most effective ways to reduce stigma around mental health conditions in men.

For more info on STRIDE check out the report card.