Real Men. Real Depression.
I was surprised to recently run across the "Real Men. Real Depression" campaign by the National Institute of Mental Health, targeting male depression, given that the campaign was launced in 2003...I have included a link to the campaign in my links section.
One facet of the campaign that I found particularly interesting involves the Public Service Announcements (PSA). These PSAs were basically real men speaking openly with a documentary filmmaker about their experience with depression. Here is a direct link to the PSAs. I think it is pretty powerful to hear these men tell their own stories in their own words. The men include a retired U.S. Air Force First Sergeant, a firefighter, a writer, a publisher, a national diving champion, a lawyer, a police officer, and a student.
I know, in general, we have a long way to go in dealing with the stigma associated with mental health but as a male member of society there is an even greater pressure to "just suck it up" and to "be a man about it." Hopefully, this blog and other men who blog about their depression will be one more step...however small it may be...in dealing with the stigma.
One facet of the campaign that I found particularly interesting involves the Public Service Announcements (PSA). These PSAs were basically real men speaking openly with a documentary filmmaker about their experience with depression. Here is a direct link to the PSAs. I think it is pretty powerful to hear these men tell their own stories in their own words. The men include a retired U.S. Air Force First Sergeant, a firefighter, a writer, a publisher, a national diving champion, a lawyer, a police officer, and a student.
I know, in general, we have a long way to go in dealing with the stigma associated with mental health but as a male member of society there is an even greater pressure to "just suck it up" and to "be a man about it." Hopefully, this blog and other men who blog about their depression will be one more step...however small it may be...in dealing with the stigma.
posted by Hopelessly Depressed at 12:36 AM
4 Comments:
You are right about the stigma. I am dealing with this as you saw at my blog. Some people understand and are supportive and others pull away. Well, I say it is their loss and not mine. I will continue to be upfront about my depression and what is going on to try and help others find help also.
i am taggin u! ;-)))
I have never thought of what it might be like from a man's perspective. In my opinion, one of the powerful tools is in numbers. Knowing that there are so many others who also walk in the same shoes we do. So much support is out there, we just have to tap into it.
Hey, hey, Voices tagged you eh? Better go to her website & see what that's all about!
Refinish69,
I read your latest post and it looks like you are moving in the right direction…and I am glad you are being open about your experience and wanting to help others who are dealing with depression.
Voices,
Thanks for thinking of me and tagging me but I think I am going to hold off as I am not really a “tag” person.
Jane,
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
-James
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