AS November comes to an end, a Holywell teacher reflects on this year’s Movember fundraiser when raising awareness of mental health issues has never been more crucial.

It is the third year that Darren Higgins, a physics teacher at Ysgol Treffynnon, has led the school’s fundraising drive for this initiative which he feels passionately about after his own devastating experience of losing his cousin to suicide several years ago.

Now a global campaign, Movember started in Australia in 2003 with the aim of saving and improving men’s lives through projects focused on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.

Darren was joined by fellow science teachers Matt Warwick and Steve Holmes, Mark Seale, director of learning and Tom Davies, pastoral support officer.

He said: “We have had lots of conversations about mental health in school this year, as lockdown has been hard on a lot of people.

“We have been emphasising the message that it's okay to not be okay and I've been trying to get people to ask a man in their life, be it their dad, son, bother, mate, or whoever, “are you okay?” and listen to the answer they give.

“Throughout the month, conversations about men’s cancers and mental health issues have been taking place in lessons and around the school. The way the students have been taking the message has been great.

“They understand the reasons behind Movember and are being very mature and supportive - but having to hide the moustache’s behind a mask has been different this year.

The science teacher said that when his own cousin committed suicide, it was “devastating” and “completely shook” the family.

Darren said: “We had an idea that he was struggling with his mental health, but he turned down help when it was offered and therefore, we missed chances to help him. After experiencing the loss and shock associated with suicide, I wanted to do my bit to make sure that no other family has to go through that.

“All too often men keep their feelings bottled up, but a chat with friends and family might help make all the difference, particularly during these difficult times we’re currently living through.

“Movember is aiming to reduce the rate of male suicide by twenty-five per cent by 2030, and I want to help them get there.

The teachers have raised £430 so far which is short of last year’s amount, but for Darren any money raised is a bonus as his main objective is to ensure that important conversations around men’s health take place.

He added: “There is no doubt that 2020 has been a strange year for everyone. We all need to spend a little time taking care of ourselves and those close to us, and this can be done easily with a conversation over a cup of tea and a little honesty when we are struggling, as we all will at times.”

There is still time to support the team’s Movember fundraising efforts. To help them reach their target of £688, go to https://buff.ly/2JhINCG.