Over the past 10 years, 83% of suicides in the Thumb region were men. That’s why the Thumb Community Health Partnership (TCHP) launched Man Therapy in February, 2021.
Man Therapy is a campaign to decrease the stigma around mental health concerns and let men know that it’s okay to seek help. The campaign is focused on informing men about mantherapy.org, a website that has tips for dealing with depression and other mental health issues, as well as a list of local services to help men with these issues. The campaign and the website use ‘guy’ humor to cut through stigma and tackle issues like depression, divorce and even suicidal thoughts head on.
Feedback about Man Therapy has been great. Since it was launched in the Thumb, more than 1,600 people have accessed mantherapy.org, and 362 have taken the online Head Inspection mental health screening!
Much of that success is due to the businesses and organizations who have helped promote Man Therapy to community members.
In addition, several local men have volunteered to be in videos talking about how mental health issues such as stress, anxiety and depression affects men in our area. These videos have been shared on social media as well as in presentations at area events such as suicide prevention walks, and state-wide events such as the Kevin Song Conference. They always start good conversations. After viewing these videos, people in the audience and on social media often share stories of men in their lives who have struggled with their mental health, and how helpful Man Therapy would be to them.
Because of its success in reaching men, Man Therapy will be continuing in the next year, so people can be looking for more social media posts, radio ads, billboards and events featuring Man Therapy in 2022. We’re also happy to report that the State of Michigan has launched Man Therapy statewide. That effort will expand the Man Therapy reach to all men in Michigan, while TCHP can continue to focus on the needs of men in the Thumb.
For more information about Man Therapy or to help get the word out about it, contact us at 810-895-2918, or email tchpmore@gmail.com.
—Kari Granz,
Thumb Community Health Partnership Program Coordinator
