Men and Boys Action Team, Campaigns and Engagement
In our community, 75% of those deaths by suicide and overdose are by men and boys. Learn more about how "Marin Tackles Mental Health Disparities in Men and Boys." The Men and Boys Action Team come together to discuss mental health, well-being, substance use and suicidality. Their lived experiences helps to inform training/education and awareness campaigns that address this population, including the Redefining Strength campaign and the 988 campaign.
Stories of Crisis & Recovery 2026
In every story, there is strength and meaning. This storytelling conversation hosted by NAMI-Marin and the Men and Boys Action Team addressed men's mental health, facilitated by JD Schramm, and included presenters from the Team.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Many members of the Men and Boys Team participated in the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline campaign. By sharing their stories, they helped to create a localized grassroots strategy to create awareness about men and boys mental health and well-being. Help take action and share their stories through video, posters, flyers, and more. Visit the campaign page.
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.
May Mental Health Month 2025: The Power of Connection with Kevin Briggs and Kevin Berthia
In 2005, CA Highway Patrol officer Kevin Briggs saw Kevin Berthia attempt to take his own life on the GG Bridge. After 92 minutes of conversation with Briggs, Berthia chose safety. This event, hosted by the Men and Boys Team, focused on the power of connection, trust, and recovery.
May Mental Health Month 2024
The Men and Boys Action Team co-hosted an event with over 200 people to help bring stories to action. Drew Robinson spoke at College of Marin in May 2024 and inspired conversation around his suicide attempt and his recovery. Thank you to our sponsors: Marin County Office of Education, College of Marin, Equip, Rotary Club-Novato, Perigon, Ghilotti Construction and to Justin Russell for his exceptional video.
September Suicide Prevention Month 2023
The Team hosted a community event featuring Ashanti Branch, MEd, in partnership with Marin County Office of Education, the Suicide Prevention Collaborative, Buckelew Programs and others. We reflected 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.
May Mental Health Month 2022
The Men and Boys Team participate in a variety of outreach activities that include presenting to community and student groups and educating the community about the importance of mental health in person and through engaging videos.
A Conversation About MENtal Health in 2021
This was our first May 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.
Movember Campaign 2020
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.