Man Therapy

A Good Idea

Description

The interactive Man Therapy website was launched in 2012 by a partnership between Cactus (an advertising agency), the Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention, and the Carlson J Spencer Foundation (a suicide prevention nonprofit). The project makes creative use of media to target working-age men who are at high risk for suicide but are also unlikely to seek care on their own. Man Therapy is reshaping the conversation of mental health and masculinity to change men's attitudes and behaviors. The site connects men to vetted mental health and support resources, local qualified care, online support groups, and skills mastery programs.

Goal / Mission

The goal of Man Therapy is to change social norms regarding men's mental health and to encourage men to seek care.

Impact

Almost 60,000 "18-Point Head Inspections" or self-assessments were completed, and 19,586 people accessed the crisis information. Of the 7,933 visitors to the site surveyed, 51% agreed or strongly agreed they were more likely to seek help after visiting the site.

Results / Accomplishments

As of January 10, 2014, mantherapy.org had 356,090 visits, of which almost a quarter were mobile. Almost 60,000 "18-Point Head Inspections" or self-assessments were completed, and 19,586 people accessed the crisis information. Man Therapy has garnered national attention and international awards for its innovative approach to media in health literacy.

Results from the site's pop-up survey (n=7,933) revealed that 83% of visitors would recommend the site to a friend in need, 51% agreed or strongly agreed they were more likely to seek help after visiting the site, and 73% said the 18-Point Head Inspection helped direct them to the appropriate resources on the web.

About this Promising Practice

Topics
Health / Mental Health & Mental Disorders
Health / Men's Health
Date of implementation
2000
Location
Colorado
For more details
Target Audience
Men