Terry Young (Longman, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As you can plainly see, it is Movember. This wonderful initiative was started 21 years ago, and its goal is to be part of the solution for men's health. Movember has funded over 1,320 men's health projects around the world and transformed the way health services reach and support men. Sadly, in the main, men are not great at expressing their emotions or their perceived failings.

Of course, we all know that one of the greatest tragedies of mental health is the deception of the individual enduring what should be a temporary state in their life that they are the only one who is going through or has ever been through whatever challenge they are facing. Initiatives like Movember raise awareness and encourage people to talk about their individual challenges, and enable others to share their stories in overcoming similar challenges, giving people hope. My message to those who are not in a good place mental health wise is to reach out to the numerous organisations out there who are trained to help you get through this difficult period in your life.

So I'm proud to endure the itchiness on my top lip, the realisation that my facial hair is sparser and greyer than it once was, and the childish barbs of being called Rodriguez, Sanchez and Raul by my colleagues, if it just helps one person get back on track. It's our duty to our fellow man.