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Post by Admin on Aug 30, 2016 11:28:13 GMT -4
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Post by Camy Dearmin (MS4) on Aug 30, 2016 15:40:19 GMT -4
It's the last line of the last post in this article that sticks with me most--the challenge extended to each and every one of us who has ever been affected by suicide or depression to get involved with spreading the message behind this campaign. Is there any among us who hasn't been affected?
Never will I forget the moment I learned of the self-inflicted death of a woman I long admired and wished to one day emulate. And how often I think of her still; wondering how it ever got to be so bad without any of the many who loved her recognizing the signs.
Add to that the all-too-common and often revered stoicism of men, and the pervasive disconnect that has permeated our modern society, and I shutter to think how many are suffering alone. I can think of no more perfect and timely example of social media being used as catalyst for positive change.
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Post by Omar Ansari - MS3 on Aug 30, 2016 21:55:13 GMT -4
The most beneficial tool utilized in today's generation to reach the largest population of individuals in the shortest amount of time is social media. It is great to see in this article that now this medium is also being used to address the issue with the stigma of suicide amongst males. For men worried about masculinity issues and feel they have nowhere to vent to about their internal conflicts, social media can help void the gap. One simple hand gesture like the "OK" signal portrayed in an online image can have such a profound effect to the degree of saving someone’s life. Many individuals are unaware of how many people are also struggling with the same issues, whether it is suicide, depression, or anxiety and finding someone to talk with and communicate is a pivotal step in the right direction.
OA - MS3
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Post by Nisha Sheth MS4 on Aug 30, 2016 23:40:40 GMT -4
I think this is a very important topic, and I’m glad to see that it is being openly discussed. There are many families that have been brought up in a home where feelings should be bottled up and quickly forgotten. The stigma of talking about your feelings as not being “manly” is a problem that most men face, and when considering that the suicide rate is so high. Almost everyone knows someone suffering from a mental illness, whether it is depression, anxiety, bipolar, PTSD etc. The #itsokaytotalk movement is a great way to teach young and old men, and even women, that it’s acceptable to have a conversation about how they are feeling or what they may be going through. If this movement can reach people and help them to not be afraid and talk to someone, before they believe it is too late, I imagine it can save many lives and should be highly encouraged.
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Post by oluwasola olawuyi on Aug 31, 2016 8:58:41 GMT -4
Mental health issue has often been seen as a stigma in our community. It is one of the reason why a lot of people do not seek help before it gets really bad. This is a problem in both sexes and men tend to be at higher risk of not seeking help because their masculinity. Suicide rate, a mental issue, is on the rise in the U.S and men has always been at higher risk of committing suicide according to the American foundation for Suicide Prevention. The Society needs to be more aware of this and campaigns like this should be encouraged more which can eventually save lives.
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Deekshita Damidi-MS3
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Post by Deekshita Damidi-MS3 on Aug 31, 2016 11:15:27 GMT -4
This article raises a very common issue we face today. Even though mental health issues have been getting more attention and people are more aware of them currently and are more accepting, there’s still a strong stigma that expressing certain feelings a person is dealing with is not considered “manly”. I think this campaign is a great way to raise awareness in the severity of this problem and that it’s not implying that a man is weak but in fact it shows the strength of a person to be able to stand up and raise his voice for the betterment of society
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Post by Anthony Moon on Aug 31, 2016 11:51:31 GMT -4
Its interesting to see the use of social media as an outlet for social change, the advent of "#" or Hashtags allow for a quick and easy way of promoting/supporting issues. From "#blacklivesmatter" to "#alllivesmatter" to "#equality," such a tag allows for everyday people to support a social cause. The interesting aspect comes to play when such "hashtags" polarize groups of people. Instead of bringing people together and education, such tags seem to galvanize and separate people more than ever. More and more, the use of social media has become nothing more than the new "Speakers Corner." Yes, such an outlet is necessary but at what cause? Social media is a great way of showing support and bringing issues to the forefront but when does support become a destructive argument and not a productive one.
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Rola Fayez, Psychiatry Extern
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Post by Rola Fayez, Psychiatry Extern on Aug 31, 2016 14:27:27 GMT -4
The article was discussing about men who are using a simple hand gesture inform of encircling their thumbs and pointer fingers. This specific hand gesture conveys a certain message that everything is fine. Usually people use some types of body language including facial expression, hand gestures and so forth that is commonly used among certain genders, age groups or culture. The article demonstrates that the use of this simple hand gesture in an attempt of prompting people to talk about their emotional and mental health suffering in particular. I personally see this a very courageous idea for people with mental illness who have the fears and worries of talking about their struggles. Usually anyone who is complaining of psychiatric symptoms is hesitant to reveal their emotions because of their ongoing concerns and fears of stigma, of being judged or labelled as insane. As a result, this will lead to a painful and deleterious impact on their lives. For example, if they repress these feeling and emotions, they may attempt suicide as they will feel that they are no longer wanted or desired by society. People with mental illness have the right to be at ease and comfortable especially in discussing and revealing the most sensitive and embarrassing aspect of their personal issue. This idea will contribute a lot to men who feel more stigmatized in venting their emotions. They are concerned that they might loose their masculinity or loose their strength in the society. I personally feel that introducing such as simple and encouraging trials to help people to speak up with their painful voice will not only promote mental health but will also break the emotional barrier inside them. As a consequence, they will feel that they are part of society and that they can be productive in any field that they may pursue.
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Post by Kimber Johnsen MS4 on Aug 31, 2016 14:28:17 GMT -4
In today's society it is hard to find someone who has not been affected by suicide in someway. As the article states suicide is on the rise and white males tend to the group on the quickest rise to committing suicide and it is males who are most successful when they attempt it. The decision to use social media to get the word out about this problem and hopefully elicit change is a great idea. Think about the campaigns in the past that have spread over social media such as the ice bucket challenge that raised thousands of dollars for ALS research and recently it came out that the money raised in this campaign might have led to a research breakthrough. So why would someone not think of a campaign for social media for suicide awareness. However, I do not know how quickly this is gaining popularity as this is the first I have heard about it. I have not seen a photo on social media yet that has someone with their hand held up in an 'ok' sign. I feel that as this movement gets more supporters and becomes 'viral' so to speak there will be a lot more photos posted and maybe even cause more people to talk about mental health issues and decrease the stigma that stops many people from getting the medical help they need.
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Parthener Pinder MS3
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Post by Parthener Pinder MS3 on Aug 31, 2016 16:41:35 GMT -4
Growing up in my culture, it was a known fact that men rarely go to the doctor. Most men in my family had to be forced or dragged to the doctor because there was a huge misconception that going to the doctor was a sign of weakness and men had to always be and act strong. Over the years I have also learned that many men in other cultures have similar misconceptions. It is frightening to know that a man is willing to hide what is going on with himself mentally because of fear of shame or weakness. It makes you wonder how many males out there are truly battling with mental illness who refuse to seek treatment as well as the men out there who in the past refused treatment and are now so far gone mentally it’s heartbreaking.
I feel using social media to spread the word about mental illness in men and letting them know that talking about it is not a sign of weakness or shame is definitely beneficial in the long run especially since nowadays individuals rely so heavily on social media. Social media is an effective and proactive way to promote mental health and illness in men as well as spread awareness about the growing problem of suicide in men.
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Post by komolafe on Aug 31, 2016 16:43:06 GMT -4
I grew up in west African and psychiatric conditions, although common, are often not given the attention needed. So a diagnoses like depression in a society that expects men to show no weakness and little emotions is not usually taken seriously. It is quite unfortunate that this stigma is real and it really shouldn’t be. If women can get together to talk about deep feelings over a cup of coffee, and leave feeling connected and heard, why can men do likewise. I know gender differences are extensive, and women often portrait to be more emotional, but the underlying need to feel heard and to connect remains the same the same for both gender. There shouldn’t be gender limitations to how people express what is truly felt. I think movements like this should be encouraged and thank goodness, there is no better way to get this done in this day and age than social media.
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Post by Brandon Brooks MS3 on Aug 31, 2016 18:52:24 GMT -4
I agree with ending the stigma about mental health. Many people believe that if someone has a mental health issue, especially a man, then they're weak or abnormal. However, many individuals fail to realize that mental health issues and suicide attempts are common. It's ok to see a psychiatrist or vent to a therapist about problems. Many men have a misconception about masculinity, and cultural factors play a big role with this misconception. Just because someone has feelings doesn't mean that they are whimpy or not strong. Also, medicine for mental health (e.g. antidepressants) doesn't change the person or give them "strength", it balances and brings out the person. This facebook initiative is important, and I hope that it brings a new horizon to mental health.
BB MS3
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Post by bridgetfrpas on Aug 31, 2016 22:16:44 GMT -4
I’m happy to see that social media is pioneering another campaign for public awareness and even happier to see that it’s about men’s mental health. Men should never be made to feel that expressing emotions is not masculine or that they have to maintain stoicism during turbulent times in their life. Expecting this from men is simply unrealistic expectations. As the suicide rate in young men continues to rise, it’s more vital to break down the walls of mental health stigma and let men know its okay to express emotions, its okay to see a therapist and its okay to just not be okay sometimes. A social media campaign, like #itsokaytotalk with the “OK” hand gesture sign, is a creative way to get awareness of this issue out to millions of men.
BF PA-S
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Post by Cynthia Coronel MS3 on Aug 31, 2016 23:33:34 GMT -4
The shame associated with expressing emotion in our hyper-masculine society and emphasis on masculinity has made it difficult for men to admit they have depression and seek treatment. Since illness is a sign of weakness. Removing the shame from mental illness requires, us to challenge society’s definitions of masculinity. Since the use of media to raise awareness for certain diseases has proven successful several times. We can begin to redefine masculinity and bring mental illnesses forward. Since mental health is stigmatized, the use of social media and can remove the social stigma associated with expressing emotion , especially amongst young adults. Coming forward and discussing mental health publicly removes the shame and encourages more men with mental health issues to come forward and talk about their illness and seek treatment
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Post by Tolulope A on Aug 31, 2016 23:49:28 GMT -4
To know that the national suicide rate is at a 30 years peak is shocking enough but to find out that men especially middle-aged men are the ones at greater risk of committing suicide is scary but it gives direction at where to target to reduce this epidemic.Stigma is one huge factor in mental health and it is easy to see why it hinders those battling depression from coming out to talk about their feelings and ordeals. Stigma is definitely heighten in the case of men because of the idea of macho man or masculinity. Men have been taught from a young age by the society to exhibit some sort of emotional stoicism characterized by keeping to one self, not showing any sign of weakness by talking about your feelings or seeking help regarding them. Apparently this is how to be a man. This idea of masculinity us a major contributor to why men struggle with mental challenge on their own until it becomes too late.
I have to agree that the issue of suicide among men is a "silent epidemic". The cold shocking statistics surrounding the prevalence of suicide in men is one that is definitely not well known and it is totally believable that only 20% of people know that suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of 45. There is a definite need then for the public awareness regarding suicide and depression in men to correspond proportionally to how often this ordeal occurs. This is why the campaigns such as #itsokaytoTalk campaign could not have come at a better time to save lives and help create a public awareness through social media and other means.
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