Campaign encourages Springfield men to talk with each other about mental health

Editor's note: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or by dialing 988. Burrell Behavioral Health's 24-hour crisis line is available at 1-800-494-7355.

The Healthy Living Alliance of the Ozarks, a group of public health, health care and community organizations, has announced a new mental health campaign geared specifically toward men in Greene County's community: "Hey man, you good?"

Why Greene County, and why men?

Greene County has seen 22.7 suicide deaths per 100,000 people on average from 2018 to 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control's WONDER database, which is more than the state's average of 19.1 and the national average of 14.4.

During that same time period, men in Greene County accounted for 80% of the suicide deaths on average, which is on-par with national numbers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

More: In the year since 988 went live, here's what a Springfield mental health provider has seen

According to a community survey, 53% of Greene County men between the ages of 25 and 65 had suicidal thoughts in the last 12 months, and 53% of men between 25 and 65 didn't access mental health services, despite there being times where they needed mental health help.

"If we can reach people, especially men, before they reach a mental health crisis, we can save lives," said Springfield-Greene County Health Department Assistant Director Jon Mooney when he answered questions about the grant at a July 10 city council meeting.

What does the campaign hope to achieve?

The three-year-long campaign currently has three goals: Reduce suicide mortality among Greene County men; increase community use of mental health services; and reduce stigma around mental illness and mental health.

The campaign message itself — "Hey man, you good?" — is meant to be a starting point for connecting with each other through conversation.

"We want to encourage men in Greene County to check in with other men in their life and to be open and honest about how they are feeling," the campaign website said. "This conversation can kickstart with a simple question: 'Hey man, you good?'"

The campaign also offers resources for people to learn about self-care strategies and healthy behaviors, as well as a treatment finder.

More: Alliance of health, community organizations launch online hub for mental health resources

Who is behind the campaign?

The project is funded through the Community Foundation of the Ozarks' Advancing Mental Wellness grant program. HLA member organizations such as Burrell Behavioral Health and Community Partnership of the Ozarks will collaborate on community outreach, resource sharing and encouraging men to have conversations about mental health, according to the press release.

Susan Szuch is the health and public policy reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: What to know about Ozarks campaign spotlighting men's mental health