CEO, co-founder and former military Mo, Adam Garone reflects on his service and the sacrifices made by all service men and women.

 

To my fellow veterans and serving men and women,

 

Today, the eleventh day of the eleventh month, we pause to pay tribute to you. To thank you for the sacrifices you have made in serving your country and the part you have played in making this world safe and free.

 

I’m proud and thankful for my 9 years of service with the Australian Army. It has given me life-long friends, taught me the importance of effective leadership and the importance of serving others. It was this experience and desire to continue serving that, in part, inspired me to start the Movember Foundation with my fellow co-founders.

 

I know the challenges that come with serving in the military; it’s why I’m so passionate about bringing a focus to the mental health challenges men experience.

 

Alarming statistics from around the world show that more soldiers and veterans are taking their own lives than the numbers who have died on the battlefield. This is not acceptable! Our soldiers are coming back to a world where they are increasingly concerned that telling someone that they have a mental health problem will mean they will be treated differently. They fear that their careers and future will be harmed. Others are worried that they won’t be deployed again as a result. This can lead to a spiral of decline where our soldiers and veterans experience depression, anxiety; some also struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and may turn to alcohol, drugs or engage in violence as a release. This is not the future we want for our heroes who serve the country on our behalf.

 

As a society, we often think about mental health differently than other forms of health. There should be no shame in discussing or taking action for a mental health problem. We've got to get rid of that embarrassment; we've got to get rid of that stigma. Too many service men and women struggle with mental health problems and are suffering in silence rather than taking action. We need to create an environment where men take action when it comes to their mental health.

 

I’m proud that Movember is funding mental health programmes and doing what we can for this cause.

 

United We Mo.
 

Mo Bro Adam Garone