A woman from the Wirral is set to take part in a charity run for Movember to challenge the stigma of telling people to “man up.”

Abbey Mulrooney, like many people this month, is raising money for men’s mental health charity Movember.

Having seen the impact of men’s mental health first hand, Abbey has been inspired to lace-up her running shoes.

She said: “I think mental health in general is such a broad subject, and I think for me I haven’t met one man in my life who hasn’t suffered from it whether it’s for a short period of time or a prolonged period.

“I feel like a lot of people have felt comfortable enough to open up about it to me.

“I’m not just doing it for men’s mental health, I’m doing it for mental health in general but specifically for the suicide rates in men that are so high and sky rocketing.

“I think as a woman if I’m able to do something like this and can bring it to light, I’m going to try my best to do that and put it on social media as well to raise awareness about the subject.”

Abbey Mulrooney, charity run.
Abbey Mulrooney set run 5k to raise money for Movember

Many find the phrase ‘man up’ to be  condescending, and Abbey agrees it prevents men from speaking-up when they need help.

She said:” I think the phrase is very outdated and I think it’s used to demonise the idea of speaking up about mental health and I think saying someone to “man up” is almost like telling someone to get on with it.

“I think that kind of stigma has quite detrimental effects because if you think of it, in the future society it is so dysfunctional and the way that men are meant to be this bread winner who go on in their life and support their family and women are meant to be nurturers, carers and supporting their family at home when that is seen as an outdated tradition.”

When thinking of a way to raise awareness, running was an obvious choice for Abbey as it has also helped her.

She said: “Personally for my own mental health, running has changed my life.

“It’s a source of happiness for me, it’s my own personal goal, when I go out running no one else is around, I’m not speaking to anyone, I’m not doing it for anyone but myself.

“So I thought knowing how happy it makes me feel, maybe going into a race with many people and having a community feel around might encourage everyone else and have a happy, vibrant day.”

Abbey started off her training with a couch to 5k and progressed on to a 5k to 10k app which allows for her to have a set routine.

If she is struggling the apps allow for her to go on an easier run. She started off by running for one minute then walking for one minute. Now she runs for 40 minutes to build her stamina and doesn’t focus on the kilometres.

As  Abbey read more into Movember, what it stands for resonated with her.

As well as running, a lot of people shave theirs beards and people dress up every year to raise money.

The Movember goal is to take on mental health, suicide, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

They say: “Our fathers, partners, brothers and friends are facing a health crisis, yet it’s rarely talked about. Men are dying too young. We can’t afford to stay silent.”

It was founded in 2003 and started with 30 men taking part but has since grown to more than six million people now taking part.

Since 2003, it has helped fund more than 1,250 men’s mental health projects around the world.

During Movember some grow a moustache to support the charity.

A statement says: “Growing a Mo is our symbol for better men’s health and grabs attention and starts important conversations. So, give it a go – it shows the world you stand for healthier men and a healthier world.”

According to the most recent figures released by the Office for National Statistics, more than 11 men lose their lives to suicide every day. Men accounted for three quarters of suicides.

According to Prostate cancer UK, prostate cancer is the most common form of the disease amongst men with more than 52,000 men being diagnosed every year.

The race is set to take place on the 18th November at Toxteth park.

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