Key Points
- Westhoughton High School staff participate in Movember to support men's physical and mental health awareness.
- The initiative engages the entire school community, including students and staff.
- Head Neil Coe emphasises the importance of casual conversation starters for mental wellbeing.
- Staff member Liam Hollis, Manager of Digital Operations, actively grows a moustache and creates Movember-related activities to foster engagement.
- Activities include a daily guessing game involving staff moustaches with chocolate prizes.
- Movember's core focus includes men's mental health, suicide prevention, prostate and testicular cancer awareness.
- Westhoughton High School broadens this message to include wellbeing for everyone.
- The school aims to create a supportive culture post-pandemic amid increasing mental health challenges.
What Is the Movember Initiative at Westhoughton High School?
As reported by the Bolton News, Westhoughton High School is actively participating in Movember, a month dedicated to raising awareness about men's physical and mental health, bringing the school community together in support. The initiative encourages staff to grow moustaches during November as a conversation starter, helping to open up discussions about wellbeing among both staff and students.
How Does the School Use Moustaches to Promote Mental Health?
Head Neil Coe told journalist Tom Smith of the Bolton News that
“Talking about a moustache might build a relationship where a young person goes back to staff and say they’re not okay.”
He highlighted the importance of casual and approachable ways to discuss wellbeing, especially among teenagers facing significant challenges.
“Being a teen in 2025 is really challenging, the pressure of exams, along with social media, and still living in the shadows of the pandemic is hard,” he added.
Who Is Leading the Staff’s Movember Efforts?
Liam Hollis, Manager of Digital Operations at Westhoughton High School, is one of the staff members fully dedicating himself to Movember. According to the Bolton News report, Mr Hollis already had an advantage by sporting a beard, but he has since grown out a grand and curly moustache to draw attention and spark conversation among students.
What Activities Are the Staff Organizing to Engage Students?
Liam Hollis explained to reporter Tom Smith that he sends out daily emails with Movember-themed activities such as
“guessing the staff member by the bottom half of their face with a fake moustache attached to them.”
He described the engagement:
“Each day I send out the image and everyone has to guess who it is, and whoever gets the most correct wins, and gets a little bit of chocolate.”
What Broader Message Does Movember Promote at the School?
While Movember traditionally focuses on men’s health issues—including mental health, suicide prevention, and cancers like prostate and testicular cancer—Mr Hollis emphasises that Westhoughton High School is expanding the message.
“This month is about supporting everyone’s wellbeing, not just men’s. Talking openly, checking in on each other, and making mental and physical health something we all prioritise,” he said.
What Is the School’s Perspective on Mental Health Post-Pandemic?
Head Neil Coe added further context on the state of mental health at the school, stating that
“Since the pandemic, mental health has taken a decline, there’s no doubt about that, and you want to create culture so that people feel safe.”
This statement reflects the school’s drive to build a supportive environment where wellbeing is openly addressed within the community.