“HeadsUpGuys” – Men’s Mental Health

In Canada, suicide is the second leading cause of death in men under the age of 50, and in which men account for about 75% of deaths by suicide. We know that in construction, mental health issues and suicide rates are some of the highest of any industry.

HeadsUpGuys is an online, anonymous resource specifically designed for men and their families to prevent the continued erosion of men’s mental health and deaths by suicide. HeadsUpGuys offers tips and articles that arm men with the tools they need to fight depression, recovery stories from men who have faced depression, and an international therapist directory to connect men with local mental health professionals.

We were very fortunate to have HeadsUpGuys Founder Dr. John Ogrodniczuk (Professor of Psychiatry at UBC and Director of the UBC Psychotherapy Program) present to us virtually on November 15. Dr. John talked about depression as a key risk factor for suicide, considered factors that influence help-seeking among men, and provided an overview of a unique mental health resource designed specifically for men who are suffering from depression and suicidality.

With the winter season, darker days, and holidays coming up, it’s important that we take special care of our own mental health to ensure that Everyone Goes Home Safe.

A bit about Dr. John:

Dr. John Ogrodniczuk is a Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the UBC Psychotherapy Program, one of North America’s largest medically based psychotherapy training programs.  His research program focuses on a variety of psychotherapies and patient populations, with a particular focus on personality disorders and men’s mental health. Dr. Ogrodniczuk has held several grants to support his research, which has led to over 300 scientific publications. In addition to his research, Dr. Ogrodniczuk is involved with teaching medical students and psychiatry residents, serves as a mental health consultant for various organizations, and maintains a psychotherapy practice. He is Past-President of the North American chapter of the International Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR), and a recipient of the Distinguished Research Career Award from SPR. Dr. Ogrodniczuk is the Founder of HeadsUpGuys, a leading global men’s mental health resource.