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March marks return of mullets for men's health

Last Updated Feb 21, 2020 at 1:09 pm MDT

IMAGE. The Canadian Mental Health Association Wood Buffalo announces the return of the March Mullets campaign to help raise awareness for men's health. (PHOTO at right) Charlie Fade, owner of hair sponsor Fade 99 Barbershop, trims a mullet for a young participant during at the 2019 kickoff event. Supplied by CMHA Wood Buffalo.

The popular March Mullets campaign returns to Wood Buffalo to raise awareness for mental illness.

Voigt Harley Davidson is also back as the presenting sponsor as they look to build off a successful campaign in 2019.

The campaign seeks to raise funds for local mental health resources and reduce the stigma surrounding men’s health.

Canadian Mental Health Association Wood Buffalo (CMHA) said there is a major shift in the traditional gender imbalance.

As cases of depression decrease among females, the rate increases for male sufferers.

Across the country, more young to middle-aged men require hospitalization for schizophrenia, and four of every five suicides are male.

Emma Jones, Director of Marketing and Community Relations for CMHA, said alcohol abuse, drugs, or violence mask their emotional problems.

“Because it’s easier for men to acknowledge physical symptoms, rather than emotional ones, their mental health problems can go undiagnosed. Beliefs about masculinity also encourage men’s general lack of interest in health issues; many men simply don’t believe they are susceptible to depression, so why bother learning about it?”

CMHA said the mullet faces a stigma as well, which is why the hairstyle helps combat the stigma around mental illness and promote men’s health.

Originated in Barrie, Ont., the mullet started as a conversation piece and blossomed into a national campaign.

How to get involved

Register on the Wood Buffalo March Mullets website to create an individual or team profile.

Users may also go online and donate to the campaign.

Fade 99 Barbershop returns as the hair sponsor for March Mullets.

Participants may have their haircuts between March 1-5, 2020, at their Dickensfield location.

They may also post photos of their new hairdos online, and helping to break the stigma on social media.

If participants can’t rock the mullet hairstyle, they could always wear a “mullet headband”

Purchase a “Mullet On The Go” headband for $25 from the CMHA website, as well as find more information about the campaign.

Voigt Harley Davidson is the host for the March Mullet Campaign Kickoff on Feb. 29, 2020, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

The wrap-up party, which features mullets and music, takes place March 28, 2020, at the Banquet Bar in Eagle Ridge.