1/1/2024 - 6/30/2025
This state-wide initiative is in collaboration with the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) with funding from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS).
Man Therapy Ohio is a state-wide initiative of the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) aimed at reducing suicides in Ohio Men. Man Therapy was designed for men to reshape the conversation about suicide prevention and broader men’s mental health, using stories of hope, resilience, and recovery, coupled with humor, to cut through stigma and tackle issues like depression, divorce, and even suicidal thoughts head on. In partnership with statewide leaders in suicide prevention, Man Therapy developers, Grit Digital Health, and funding from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS), Man Therapy Ohio supports the 2024-2026 State Suicide Prevention Plan designed to create a collaborative approach to prevent suicides and identify key strategies to reduce suicides in Ohio.
Background
The 2024-2026 State Suicide Prevention Plan for Ohio was introduced by Governor Mike DeWine in January and highlights mental health and suicide prevention as a priority of his administration. The plan was designed to create a collaborative approach to prevent suicides and identify key strategies to reduce suicides in Ohio. One key priority is to reduce suicides in adult men; in 2021, more than 80% of those who died by suicide in Ohio were male.
Man Therapy will be used to encourage men to seek help for their mental health and promoted through a public health campaign called, Man Therapy Ohio. In collaboration with the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF), we are working to build a robust network of diverse organizational partners focused on preventing suicide by promoting the www.ManTherapy.org website. Man Therapy has been proven to reduce stigma for men around mental health and encourage men to seek understanding and care for mental health issues.
The Man Therapy Ohio public health campaign is based on best practices identified in prior research led by Dr. Jodi Frey in Michigan. Research results can be reviewed here:
- "Effectiveness of man therapy to reduce suicidal ideation and depression among working-age men: A randomized controlled trial"
- "Help-seeking and Man Therapy: The impact of an online suicide intervention"
Research Study or Program Description
Men throughout Ohio who visit the Man Therapy website may be invited to participate in online surveys and/or an interview to provide information about their experience using the Man Therapy website. The purpose of this research evaluation is to learn more about men’s mental health and well-being and to evaluate their experience using Man Therapy. If eligible, men will receive compensation for their time.
If there are questions about the research evaluation, please reach out to Dr. Jodi Frey, Principal Investigator, at (410) 706-3607 or jfrey@ssw.umaryland.edu.
Implications and Future Plans
This study will contribute to the existing knowledge base of men’s suicide prevention and mental health by broadening the number of people who may benefit from visiting the free, online program, Man Therapy. Furthermore, this study is designed to explore the connection between using Man Therapy and mental health help-seeking behaviors among working-aged and older men within their community.
Principal Investigator(s), Program Directors, and Research Team
Jodi Jacobson Frey: PhD, LCSW-C, Principal Investigator, Professor, University of Maryland School of Social Work and Faculty Executive Director, Behavioral Health and Well-Being Lab (BHWell Lab)
Amanda Mosby: MA, Project Manager, University of Maryland
Erika Shook: BS, Public Relations Specialist, University of Maryland
Vera Men, PhD, Statistician
Christel Joel Tajouoh Daghuie, Graduate Research Assistant
Thomas Vossler: Partnership Manager, Grit Digital Health
Sharon Saia: Consultant
For More Information
Contact the research team for more information: ManTherapyOhio@gmail.com.