Hi Ben! Thanks for sharing this. The recent events, including last night's in Indianapolis have been weighing on me as well. In all honesty, it adds a new level of fear to re-starting "normal" life (going to the grocery story, concert, work even) for many people. One thing I was surprised that you didn't mention and that I'd love your take on is the intersectionality of gender roles and these tragedies. 98% of mass shootings have been committed by men. We also know that men are far less likely to access resources and treatment for mental health due to traditional gender roles. Will better access to MH care and crisis strategies have the desired impact without addressing the masculinity crisis which prevents men from tapping into these services even when they do exist? Diversion programs might have an impact here, but it still feels like too little too late. Just something I've been pondering and feel like it needs to be a part if this dialog. Thanks, as always, for your insights!
Now I am surprised I didn't mention it, too! Good call out Sam. As you mention, the violence project has a great database where you can see data on the 98% https://www.theviolenceproject.org/ . But what to do about it? I think fundamentally this is where we have to get more creative about reaching people. I am fond of talking about work my colleague Jack Westfall did in NE Colorado on Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder. He worked with a community group to help him break through to the folks (farmers - and mostly men) who needed help. They created beer coasters. Yes, beer coasters that they put in feed stores where many farmers came on a regular basis. It led to this https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/itmatttrs and a variety of other offerings. My point is that sometimes to make the most impact, we have to get outside of the traditional avenues and go to where people are, engage them in new ways, and make sure that what we give to them (intervention) is in a format they can actually use. Toxic masculinity is a real issue https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-fight-toxic-masculinity/ and should be addressed! Thanks for the comment. I am sure others who have more experience have thoughts here as well!
Thanks for the reply, Ben! Love the creativity around this MAT approach. It would be great to see a concerted effort to test other creative ideas like this one, particularly in their effectiveness reaching men in mental health crisis.
Hi Ben! Thanks for sharing this. The recent events, including last night's in Indianapolis have been weighing on me as well. In all honesty, it adds a new level of fear to re-starting "normal" life (going to the grocery story, concert, work even) for many people. One thing I was surprised that you didn't mention and that I'd love your take on is the intersectionality of gender roles and these tragedies. 98% of mass shootings have been committed by men. We also know that men are far less likely to access resources and treatment for mental health due to traditional gender roles. Will better access to MH care and crisis strategies have the desired impact without addressing the masculinity crisis which prevents men from tapping into these services even when they do exist? Diversion programs might have an impact here, but it still feels like too little too late. Just something I've been pondering and feel like it needs to be a part if this dialog. Thanks, as always, for your insights!
Now I am surprised I didn't mention it, too! Good call out Sam. As you mention, the violence project has a great database where you can see data on the 98% https://www.theviolenceproject.org/ . But what to do about it? I think fundamentally this is where we have to get more creative about reaching people. I am fond of talking about work my colleague Jack Westfall did in NE Colorado on Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder. He worked with a community group to help him break through to the folks (farmers - and mostly men) who needed help. They created beer coasters. Yes, beer coasters that they put in feed stores where many farmers came on a regular basis. It led to this https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/itmatttrs and a variety of other offerings. My point is that sometimes to make the most impact, we have to get outside of the traditional avenues and go to where people are, engage them in new ways, and make sure that what we give to them (intervention) is in a format they can actually use. Toxic masculinity is a real issue https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-fight-toxic-masculinity/ and should be addressed! Thanks for the comment. I am sure others who have more experience have thoughts here as well!
Thanks for the reply, Ben! Love the creativity around this MAT approach. It would be great to see a concerted effort to test other creative ideas like this one, particularly in their effectiveness reaching men in mental health crisis.