NORTHEAST PA — Whether you talk to neighbors and friends or watch the news, nearly everyone knows a person who is struggling with mental illness, but men don’t seem to be talking about it enough to connect with the resources they need. 

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is working to change that. NAMI will host a virtual panel discussion on Wednesday, November 18, at 7 p.m. on NAMI Northeast Region PA’s Facebook Live page. It will be open to anyone. 

NAMI Northeast Region PA is planning a panel discussion about men’s mental health to educate the community and offer insight on its Facebook page this month. 

NAMI Executive Director Marie Onukiavage said, “We’re having this discussion during November, Men’s Health Month, but men’s health is important to all of us every day.  The more we talk about men’s mental health, the more we can remind the men we care about that they are not alone.”

According to NAMI, roughly 42 percent of men with a mental health condition receive treatment compared to nearly 59 percent of women. About 65 percent hesitate to seek professional help due to stigma or perceived weakness, and 40 percent have never spoken to anyone about their mental health. 

Onukiavage said this needs to change. “I have watched men I care about struggle with their mental health, and I know how difficult it can be to find the right words, ask for help, or feel comfortable talking about what they’re experiencing,” she said. 

The panel will include NAMI board members Kyle Popish, behavioral modification specialist at Whole Path Wellness; Michael Murphy; and local mental health and wellness professionals Patrick McDonough, Joshua Urso and Samm Yeakel.

Urso, a licensed clinical social worker, said, “As a male therapist, I value the opportunity to help create conversations that encourage men to talk openly about trauma, addiction, depression, relationships and the pressures they face.” He has more than 15 years of experience in behavioral health, specializing in substance use disorders, trauma and co-occurring mental health conditions, and has served as a mental health/substance use disorder outpatient social worker at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center.

Popish said, “I do believe that I’ve seen—and I know I have experienced personally—that over the last 10 years or so, there has been a decrease in that stigma around male mental health. I think that we live in a society today where people feel more comfortable coming out and saying they have a problem or that they need some help. But I think the other thing we can do is to bridge the gap and reinforce resources.  We as a society and as health care professionals need to examine more of why men are still reluctant to seek help and really try to figure out how we can make sure that person is following through on the continuity of care and getting the proper resources they need.”

To learn more or offer questions for the discussion, visit www.facebook.com/nami.nepa or email info@naminepa.org before Monday, November 16.  

NAMI Northeast Region PA serves Lackawanna, Wayne and Susquehanna counties with support groups, mental health trainings and programs. Visit www.naminepa.org or call 570/342-1047.