Irish musicians have come out in force to support the upcoming Movember campaign, with the likes of Dublin DJ Arveene, former HomeTown member Josh Gray, producer Zenna, multi-instrumentalist/producer Rob de Boer and now Micheál Quinn (drummer for Dermot Kennedy) all putting their weight behind the initiative.

Having launched in Melbourne back in 2003, Movember arrived in Ireland in 2008 to take things to the next level with male health. Pouring fundraising money into testicular and prostate cancer research - as well as funding over 1,250 male mental health projects - the NGO has been a game-changer for offering men longer, happier and healthier lives.

One of the primary goals of the charity is to allow men the safe space to express themselves fully. Speaking out about emotions in order to reduce the need for mental health services offers many young boys and men a lifeline - a connection to a supportive, empathetic network of their peers. No better man than Micheál Quinn, we say.

As the drummer for Meltybrains?, Enemies and Dermot Kennedy, no less - Micheál has built an impressive resumé for himself. In between tours of the US and UK, the musician has joined forces with Movember Ireland to speak out about male mental health, his experience of counselling and breaking the silence.

“We’ve done a big North American and English tour and we’re heading back to the States tomorrow. The American shows are wild," Micheál tells me over the phone, seemingly full of energy. "The fans are pulling him off stage so you're just really riled up at those gigs, it’s crazy. I get to see it all unfold from the back, so I’m in a pretty cool position.”

“Not many drummers get as much of a platform as I do. Dermot’s very encouraging. He leaves a lot of space for me to do my thing, which isn't the norm."

 

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“This is my first time working with Movember. Last year, all my housemates grew moustaches but I wasn’t around when they made the decision. I was just left out of the picture because I didn’t come back until they had already started growing them," Micheál laughs. "I know I can grow facial hair, but it's not going to be some big bangin’ moustache! I think there’ll be a good element of taking the piss out of it as it goes along. It’s very effective symbolism."

What was his first impression of the charity's concept? Movember typically uses the trademark moustache to gain traction and spread awareness, but the NGO has been incredibly pivotal for cancer research.

“Initially, I just saw Movember as something cool ticking along in my peripheral vision," Quinn notes. "Now that I have firsthand information from them and am fully paying attention, I’m seeing how much it can help the immediate world around me. It makes a lot more sense on a personal level. I’m having these amazing conversations with all my friends about these issues just by joining the campaign.”

Going back to his adolescence, Michéal was privileged in that he felt at ease enough to share his thoughts and feelings with his peers. Interestingly, as men grow older and shoulder new burdens, that ease can fade.

“When I was younger, I had a core group of friends and we could just say anything to each other. It was so easy to discuss things. Over the last few years, things have changed. It’s hard to describe, but there’s this silence that’s come in. It’s quite powerful in itself," Quinn concedes. "Suddenly it hits you: This is that intangible thing where men can’t talk about their feelings. It’s not that we don’t want to, it’s actually difficult to even try. It gives me more empathy for men around me who have been quiet their whole lives about these issues. As we grow into our 20s, 30s and 40s, it’s trickier to start these conversations. You see more people just trying to hold it together as we age."

Movember has consistently spread the message that men need to be able to talk when times are tough - but in the confidence that they will be heard. Words save lives, but Micheál acknowledges the complexity of the problem.

“The pressure to speak out can be a lot for some men - those expectations don’t always help. There are just some boys who can’t discuss their traumas, because they need to be taught. It's always good to see more men around me opening up, all the same. The shame and stigma is reducing. That trope of strength being equated with silence is breaking down too. There’s learning involved, education surrounding emotional wellbeing and mental illness desperately needs to be introduced at a young age.”

In Quinn's eyes, what does Movember do best?

“Movember’s aim is to put these issues of mental health and cancer prevention on the map. They stamp them down and say: this is what’s happening, what are we going to do about it?’. They get your attention by hitting you with the truth. Movember are trying to get us to a point where we stop pushing these problems down and ignoring them. If people have too much going on to address their mental or physical needs, that also needs to be respected. Movember is never aggressive or forceful, it doesn’t demand anything. It lays it out gently in front of you, which I love.”

“I've learned a lot about myself over the last 10 years," the drummer remarks, emphasising his own self-growth journey. "I'm trying to figure out how to recognise the triggers, but there's so much to it."

"There's just everyday life, which is its own thing. You learn your ways to deal with that. Some of the extra pitfalls are very difficult to cope with, but I trust myself more now. If there's something I'm struggling with, I would have avoided it when I was younger. I didn’t know if I could handle it by looking at the problem directly in the face. As time has gone on, I've gotten more comfortable at doing that. When anything bad does arise, I don't want to push it away anymore. That’s my journey: when I’m thrown into a tough time, I get ready and let it pass through.”

Micheál's exploration of counselling brought newfound revelations to the forefront of his life.

“I did two big stints of therapy, and it was phenomenal. It was also incredibly hard work essentially. After the first time, I came out very confident. I was telling everyone to do it. The second time around was much more sobering. I recognise now that people shouldn’t just be expected to go to therapy. There’s no shame in that, because the services aren't always available and there's the financial burden too.”

“I was very lucky with my therapist because I was recommended by a doctor. It just worked really well for me," Quinn posits. "That being said, I have a lot of friends who just felt like they were talking to a wall. As a result, you're alienated from the process."

On that For Those I Love record from last year, David Balfe, there’s a great line: You pay half your wages in therapy and then you’re tossed out the same when it’s over. For a lot of people, that’s their experience of therapy. One glove doesn’t fit everyone. Some people can talk, but it’s not good for other people. A verbal thing isn’t for them.”

“When I think about my own journey, one of my big things was that I didn’t want to take any medications. I wanted to figure this out. It led me to explore other things that were great in the long run, like exercise and mindfulness. Mediation, breathing and putting my body under physical stress seems to take away my emotional stress. It’s less overwhelming and easier to control. I also put myself into saunas for way too long, or freezing cold water...anything that spikes my adrenaline! That way, when emotional struggles come along, my endurance seems to be higher.”

Could Micheál could offer any words of wisdom to young men struggling to communicate their emotions?

“I'd tell them to find something physical and tangible that helps them show the world who you are and how you feel through those means - be it artistic or not. With me, drumming meant I could always just be honest with whatever I was feeling inside. If I didn't have words for it, it didn't matter because I could just show people. It helped me an awful lot because it meant that nothing was bottled inside. I was literally putting it out into the world."

"Whether it's painting, driving race cars, playing an instrument, being a teacher - whatever inspires you - use that to convey what’s special about you. It’ll ease your mind.”

Join Movember Ireland's campaign on ie.movember.com/.

Read the experiences of Jack O'Connor (aka producer Zenna), Wicklow singer-songwriter Josh Gray, Dublin DJ Arveene and multi-instrumentalist for the X Collective Rob de Boer.