Belinda Foy says the second annual Movember Ball is more than just a fun night out.
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“Big tables of family and friends get together to share food and talking – and that conversation part is huge,” Ms Foy said.
“With events like R U OK? Day, talking about mental health is getting better for sure but it’s still not fast enough.”
Ms Foy organised the first Movember Ball last year after she lost her partner Liam to suicide four years ago.
“The Ballarat community really got behind it – no-one said no to anything.
“We’re trying to make a negative thing into a positive thing.”
Ms Foy said last year’s ball raised $10,000 for the Movember Foundation, which aims to improve men’s mental health and stop the high suicide toll.
Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australian men aged 15 to 44, with, on average, five men each day taking their own lives.
Movember Foundation Australia and New Zealand country director Charlotte Webb said, while there was a lot being done around men’s mental health, it wasn’t happening fast enough to have a real impact.
“Every single person supporting men’s health is important – the more funds we raise and the more awareness we spread this Movember, the less likely men are to die before their time,” Ms Webb said.
“The Movember Foundation is uniquely placed to address the crisis at a global level. By engaging with men where they are, and understanding what works best, we’re helping make change happen sooner, before it’s too late.
“The Movember Foundation wants our men alive, well and enjoying life.”
This year’s event will be held at Housey Housey in Armstrong Street North on Saturday, November 5.
Tickets are $120 and include drinks, a sit down dinner, silent auction, live auction and donation bins, with $30 from every ticket sold donated to the Movember Foundation.
Tickets are available from roardesign.com.au/movember.