Rachel Maskell, MP for York Central, participated in a discussion with Movember representatives, staff from the University of York’s Institute of Mental Health Research, and students on Friday (November 22).

Gender-sensitive health policies; the possibility of a clinical director for men’s health; and the possibility of a "dedicated Men’s Health Strategy in the UK" were discussed by Ms Maskell, the Institute's Paul Galdas, and Movember global lead for policy and advocacy, Amy O'Connor, at the event.

Originating in Melbourne, Australia, the Movember movement aims to improve men's health and has provided funding and awareness around issues including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention for men.

Movember's partnership with York University sees it help fund the university's BALM programme - described as "a gender-sensitised early mental health programme designed to improve low mood and anxiety in male frontline NHS workers."

As part of the partnership, a moustache-themed bench, designed to be difficult to balance on alone and more easily levelled out when shared with a partner (similarly to a see-saw), has been installed at the university.

The 'A Problem Shared is a Problem Halved’ bench first launched in October at Borough Yards in London.

Ms O'Connor said: "We’re proud to install our bench at the University of York to celebrate the work at BALM, Professor Paul Galdas, and the support from students committed to understanding the experiences and the issues facing men in healthcare, which benefits all of society because healthier men means better outcomes for all."

University of York students have raised more than £230,000 for Movember since 2015.

One of the university's ambassadors, 20-year-old student nurse Stevie Scott, joined Friday's discussion to tell her story about losing her father to prostate cancer in 2019.

Ms Scott said: "When I was 15, I lost my dad, Simon, to prostate cancer after a long battle and at the end of his life, he was in and out of hospitals and then a hospice.

"I was 7 or 8 when he was diagnosed and I don’t remember my dad ever being completely healthy – I just remember the illness.

"I support Movember because I am dedicated to spreading awareness and encouraging more men to see their GP early."

Ms Maskell added: "As per the recommendations of the last Health Select Committee, of which I was a member, more government action is undoubtedly needed and a dedicated men’s health strategy and a Centre for Men’s Health to partner with the women’s health strategy will help us in driving forward progress."

Movember’s Real Face of Men’s Health campaign earlier this year claimed to find that boys born in the UK in 2021 are expected to live 4 years less than girls.