MICHIGAN: Online Screening Helps Michigan Men Gauge Mental Health

July 21, 2017

News Type:  Weekly Spark, Weekly Spark News
Speaker:  Michigan

Rural Health Information Hub

A public health campaign in Michigan is using an online mental health intervention to help prevent suicide among working-age men. Launched in September 2016, the Healthy Men Michigan campaign was developed by the University of Maryland School of Social Work, Screening for Mental Health, and other organizations. With health messaging designed to appeal to middle-aged men, the campaign’s website includes free mental health screenings, educational information, and referrals to local services. Campaign developers have formed more than 125 partnerships with organizations and businesses across the state to help promote the campaign at the local level. According to Jodi Jacobson Frey, associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Social Work, employers have been encouraged to make mental health a part of workplace culture. “Where suicide prevention was not in their mission or even on their organization’s radar, now they are starting to see a connection and a role they can have in prevention and supporting the well-being of workers in families and in their communities,” she said. Frey is leading an evaluation of Healthy Men Michigan in an effort to better understand its effectiveness.

Spark Extra! Visit the Healthy Men Michigan website and read our report on preventing suicide among middle-aged men.