MassMen, Massachusetts Department of Public Health Suicide Prevention Program
Of the more than 44,000 Americans who die by suicide each year, the vast majority—79%—of those who are taking their lives are men.
John Ogrodniczuk, PhD, Professor and Director of the Psychotherapy Program in the Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia
Depression is the leading cause of disability in the world, yet men are notoriously reluctant to reach out for help with depression. A number of roadblocks can get in their way, not the least of which are myths or concerns about treatments for depression.
Joshua R. Beharry, Project Coordinator, HeadsUpGuys
Depression is a difficult topic for many men to discuss, yet it’s one we need to talk about during this year’s Men’s Health Week (June 12th-18th).
Unfortunately phrases like “be strong,” “don’t cry,” “suck it up,” and “be a man” shape how young men think about their emotions and health, and discourage them from talking to others when things might not be going so well.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
Last year, Congress gave mental health advocates a year-end present during the lame duck session by passing mental health reform legislation as part of the 21st Century Cures Act and sending it to President Obama for signature. Implementation began in earnest on May 24, 2017, with the call for nominations for non-federal appointments to the Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee. Read about this and other wins in this legislation in this post from the CFYM archives.
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