While the media around the crisis in Greece is focused on financial strain and the political situation, mental health and the way Greeks are coping emotionally has fallen by the wayside. This prompted Kyriakos Gold and his mo’brothers to do something about it and officially launch the Greece network of Movember.
Kyriakos first started raising money for men’s health through the Movember charity after his personal experiences with mental illness and also men’s cancer. He says the more he got involved in Movember the more he realised how it affects people and how it affected him.
“The more I knew about men’s health the more I realise how closely it affects all of us,” Kyriakos told Neos Kosmos. But now, six years on, Kyriakos is raising awareness for a country that needs it the most.
“It’s a tough time for Greece, suicide rates are very high. Culturally Greeks don’t talk about mental issues it’s a tough topic, the man has to be the man and the man is having a tough time because he can’t support his household.
“Personally I think it’s a great time to be visiting Greece with this issue: we can really make an impact. The media is focusing on the political impact, the financial impact, and we’re just trying to tell people to look at other aspects of your health and lifestyle so you can get through this.”
Kyriakos said that everyone can help. If you don’t have money to donate then spread the word to raise awareness.
If you are participating in this year’s fundraising or you know someone that is, please register under the network page: http://au.movember.com/mospace/network/Greece. Registration does not affect your team and personal fundraising efforts but indicates interest by Greek speaking audiences. The more people that participate in the network the bigger the launch platform for an official campaign in Greece.
If you want to donate directly you can use the following link: http://au.movember.com/mospace/416342/v