New campaign will use "manspeak" to help men deal with suicidal thoughts

Submitted by el cid on Sun, 2011-06-26 15:54

This article reports on a new program to help men avoid suicide. It states working men are the most likely to take their own lives--a rare admission for an article on suicide, as most state numbers but rarely gender. This seems like a good program. Excerpt:

'If you think it's hard for a guy to ask for directions, then consider how much harder it is to ask for help with suicidal thoughts.

The group most likely to take their own lives is the same demographic least likely to seek out a mental-health professional.

"This is double jeopardy for working-age men," said psychologist Sally Spencer-Thomas, executive director of The Carson J. Spencer Foundation.

Like0 Dislike0

Comments

Sally Spencer-Thomas has been working to help suicidal men for some time. Her brother died after taking his own life and much of her work is dedicated in his honor. A couple of years ago she created a program in Colorado specifically to help suicidal males and it was funded and ready to go. Then shortly before they were to launch the program the state cut the funding. A core group kept the program going even without money. Would that sort of cut happened to a program for women and girls? I would bet not. Her program is the only program I know of in the US (outside of the military) that is specifically for men. I admire her for all she is doing.

So good to see she has been able to get some money for her work.

Like0 Dislike0
Submitted by Tom on Sun, 2011-06-26 23:03

Thanks for the additional information. I don't know much about the program other than the info the article provides. I'm simply glad to see someone addressing the problem.

Like0 Dislike0
Submitted by el cid on Mon, 2011-06-27 15:16

I just saw this story. If he had known about outlets to talk about his suicidal thoughts rather than act on them, maybe he would be alive right now.

Like0 Dislike0
Submitted by Matt on Tue, 2011-06-28 01:38

Sure thing. I did an unwritten and unpublished report on the availability of programs specifically for male suicide in the US. Her's was the only one I could find and it lost funding a few days before it was to open. Men simply don't rate compassion. Their pain is unseen and dumped into a toxic waster barrel and hidden.

Like0 Dislike0
Submitted by Tom on Tue, 2011-06-28 10:13

Hi Matt - Yes that is part of the problem, that services that focus on talking about issues are much less desirable to most men. I wrote a report for the Maryland Commission for Men's Health on male suicide and it can be seen here http://menaregood.com/m-suicide.html T

Like0 Dislike0
Submitted by Tom on Tue, 2011-06-28 10:17