Community in-person event titled ‘Redefining Strength’ on May 19

Courtesy of Marin County

Across their life spans, men and boys shy away from seeking mental health support particularly in times of distress, and that can be a key risk factor of suicide and other behavioral health issues.

To raise awareness, the Marin County Suicide Prevention Collaborative’s Men and Boys Action Team and the County of Marin’s Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) are hosting an in-person session called “Redefining Strength: A Conversation About Men and Boys’ Mental Health” at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at the Marin County Civic Center in San Rafael. Online registration is open and required for attendance. The event is being held in partnership with the grassroots group RxSafe Marin, the Marin County District Attorney’s Office, and the Marin County Probation Department.

During the event, the collaborating partners will roll out their Redefining Strength campaign and hear from expert panelists before opening the community conversation about men and boys’ mental health and well-being and how to ask for help.

Through both its event and campaign, the Men and Boys Action Team is taking steps to inspire new thinking and actions among men and boys who are not known to seek help around mental health issues, suicidality, substance use, or addiction. After the event, the organizers will continue to listen and learn from men and boys and share the findings.

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The Men and Boys Action Team is comprised of those who self-identify as male across the lifespan for discussion of mental health awareness and education. The team is led by William Spence Casey, a licensed clinical social worker with the Marin County Veterans Services Office, and Otis Bruce Jr., Marin County Assistant District Attorney.

Casey, in his 18th year assisting military veterans, said his work fits well with his love of military history, his family of veterans, and his enjoyment of helping people.

“I am very proud to be a co-leader with the Men and Boys Action Team for the collaborative,” Casey said. “Our primary goal is to normalize a discussion around suicide prevention and mental illness. I’ve concluded from my life experience and profession that mental illness is part thief and part silent killer. When untreated and unidentified, it robs us of our time, joy, and happiness and, in a sense, our lives.”

Bruce leads the DA’s Office’s social justice and equity programs and serves as the community liaison and policy coordinator. A youth mentor and trial prosecutor in Marin for more than 30 years, he is dedicated to ensuring that youth and adults receive support and services for psychologically healthy, productive, and happy lives.

“Since the COVID-19 pandemic increased our community’s mental health issues, it is now important to encourage frank, open, and candid conversations around mental health, recovery, and wellness among men, young men, and boys who may be struggling,” Bruce said.

Among the team’s youth members is Deyne Jurie, a Dominican University student who became an intern and joined the team in the fall of 2021.

“It’s very interesting to be on a team with older men who have lived through or experienced mental health,” Jurie said. “As a college student, I represent the transitional stage from college to adult life for our team. Once the campaign launches, I plan to post it on my social media to reach my age group.”

Twice a month, the Suicide Prevention Collaborative’s Men and Boys Team hosts community meetings with presentations and discussions on topics about what it means to ask for help, how to help others, and ways to cope using healthy and positive strategies.

Dave Cort, the Executive Director of the San Geronimo Valley Community Center, regularly attends the monthly meetings and is a member of the Men and Boys Team.

“This work really captured my interest, especially because two of my close friends lost their sons to overdose,” Cort said. “The structure of the team and its focus on both men and boys with diverse lived experiences and a broad age range was also appealing. I have had an extremely great experience with the team because I can hear from high school and college guys as well as men of all colors.”

BHRS Director Dr. Jei Africa said the event is an opportunity to directly address the stigma of men and boys’ mental health. “What the Men and Boys Action Team is showing us is that we can be each other’s keeper and look out for one another when we’re in pain or struggling,” Africa said.

Locally, the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) oversees government-funded behavioral health and recovery services. If you or someone you know is in mental health distress, find resources on https://prevention.marinbhrs.org/or contact:

Marin Suicide Prevention Hotline: (415) 499-1100

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1 (800) 273-8255 y en Español: 1 (888) 628-9454

The Trevor Lifeline: 1 (866) 488-7386

Friendship Line (for 60 and older): 1 (800) 971-0016

Crisis Text Line: Text MARIN to 741741

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