Men and Boys Action Team, Campaigns and Engagement

Since men are disproportionately impacted by suicide in our community with over 70% of those deaths by suicide and overdose, it's critical that we fine tune our messaging to reach this population, find ways to reduce stigma, examine the power of self sufficiency, and promote help seeking.  Let's change the trajectory of men who are in distress and together, we can make a difference!

The Men and Boys Action Team come together to discuss mental health, well-being, substance use and suicidality. Their leadership and lived experiences on these issues  helps to inform training/education and awareness campaigns that address this population, including the Redefining Strength campaign and the soon to launch 988 campaign.  This Team also works closely with the Lethal Means Action Team to foster means safety through safe storage of firearms and substances among others.

If you are over 13 years old and self identify as male, please join our Team.  The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday January 11th  at 4 pm. Contact the BHRS Prevention and Outreach Team for more information.

 

Redefining Strength: A Campaign for Men and Boys

In 2021-2022, the Men and Boy's Team developed and launched a community engagement campaign, Redefining Strength, a grassroots effort designed to promote discussion on men and boys mental well-being, what it means to be strong and where we draw strength.  The Team held a campaign launch event in May 2022 held at the Board of Supervisor's Chambers with 140 participants and  featured local leaders in a dynamic panel discussion and lived experience story.  View recording of the event in either English or Spanish.

Men's Event
Crowd
Men and Boys Team

September Suicide Prevention Month 2023 and May Mental Health Month 2022

The Men and Boys Team participate in a variety of outreach activities that include presenting to community groups, such as Rotary Clubs or College of Marin, leading a session at the Youth Wellness Festival during May Mental Health Month 2022, educating the community about the importance of mental health (view video). In September 2023, a member of the team presented at the Multi-County Suicide Prevention Summit addressing men's mental well-being. View this event here (password ^4eaQrR6).

Men's Event

The Mask You Live In with Ashanti Branch

Throughout the year, the Men and Boys Action Team create events and opportunities to come together and normalize conversations about men's mental health and well-being. During September 2023, the Team hosted a community event featuring Ashanti Branch, MEd, at College of Marin in partnership with Marin County Office of Education, the Suicide Prevention Collaborative, Buckelew Programs and others. The night created a chance to reflect on what it means to wear a mask, how to connect with our truest self, and understand our common feelings and concerns about what it means to be strong.

Men and Boys Team
Men and Boys Team
May Mental Health

Breaking the Silence: A Conversation About Men and Boys Mental Health

In Spring 2021, the Suicide Prevention Collaborative held it's first event focusing on the mental health of men and boys in our community.  Invited panelists brought their diverse experiences and perspectives of how social norms condition men to be strong and how these influences dictate health behavior, help seeking, and decisions regarding their mental health. This experience gave way to the development of the Men and Boys Action Team and the need for a larger campaign to create greater awareness!

Movember Campaign poster. Collage of men with moustaches. I'm helping to change the face of men's health.

Movember Campaign

The Movember campaign in 2020 was a community grassroots campaign that relied upon men and boys as influencers in mental health. Images of men and boys in our community were featured in the campaign by growing a beard to symbolize our collective action that it's okay to talk about mental health.