Movember is more than moustaches; it is a movement that began here in Australia and has grown into a global call to action for men’s health. It shines a light on prostate cancer, testicular cancer and, importantly, mental health. This year, our CEO, Gordon Botwright, sat down with us to share why these conversations matter and why they still feel difficult for many men, including himself.

Gordon is open about the fact that talking about his own health doesn’t come naturally. “Even this interview puts me out of my comfort zone,” he admits. He says embarrassment, stigma, and the old belief that men must always look tough still hold many people back. “My generation was taught that men don’t show weakness. We lock it away. But it always comes back.”

Despite being a leader, Gordon doesn’t pretend to have it all figured out. He describes his approach to wellbeing in simple terms: moderation, eating well and keeping alcohol low. Exercise, he says, is the part he still struggles to make time for. His honesty reminds us that leaders face the same barriers as everyone else.

As well as his role leading over 600 staff and 2500 volunteers at St John, Gordon’s work as Board Member of Lifeline Direct has also shaped the way he sees men’s health. Sitting on the board has shown him just how many men are reaching out for help, and how urgently these services need more support. “There is a desperate need for easy pathways to help,” he says. “We have to make it simple and safe for people to find the support that suits them.”

When asked what he would say to men across St John who are struggling, Gordon keeps it straightforward:

First, acknowledge when you are not OK.
Second, find your safe person.

For him, that’s a close friend he can be honest with. “Just being able to say, ‘Here’s where I’m at,’ makes a huge difference,” he says. But if someone isn’t moving through their challenges, Gordon stresses the importance of seeking expert help and letting go of old stigmas about what it means to be strong.

This Movember, his message is simple: check in on a mate. Whether it is a friend or a colleague you know well, take a moment to notice changes, sit down for a coffee, and ask the question that can open the door: “Are you OK?” He believes that conversations don’t need to be heavy; they just need to be genuine.

Gordon also reminds us that mental health and physical health deserve equal attention. Across St John, staff and volunteers are encountering more mental health situations in their roles than ever before, and our organisation is working hard to strengthen the pathways and support systems available, chaplaincy, employee assistance, peer support and external services like Lifeline and Men’s Line.

Looking ahead, his hope is that conversations about men’s health become more natural and more frequent, both within St John and in the broader community. “We’re doing many good things, but we’re still on the journey,” he says. “The challenge now is to make support easier to find and safe to access, so more people feel able to reach out.”

This Movember, let’s take Gordon’s lead, strength paired with vulnerability, and check in, speak up and support one another.

Need help? You can call or contact:

• Lifeline Australia – 24/7 crisis support & suicide prevention: 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue – support for depression, anxiety & mental health: 1300 22 4636
• MensLine Australia – 24/7 telephone and online counselling for men: 1300 78 99 78