Go to the store and buy a 15 kilogram bag of rice. Pour it out and count every single grain it contains. On average you would only be halfway to the number of annual male suicides globally. According to Life on Mind that’s a tragic average of 500,000 people a year. At ISB the Men’s Mental Health club (MMH) spreads awareness of these facts, as well as offers support to those who need it. In this episode I interview veteran Billy and rookie Ameer.
“Men’s mental health, especially suicide awareness, is something we are actively trying to better understand and educate others about,” that’s the point. That’s the whole idea of MMH explained by MMH officer Billy. Since his Freshman year Billy has had a key role in developing MMH to what it is today. “I was influenced to join MMH my freshman year because I dealt with a lot of stress and mental health challenges when I was younger, especially in middle school. Being part of this club felt like a meaningful way to turn those experiences into something positive.” Positivity can be spread in a lot of different ways, some of MMH’s favorites are informing the community about their cause, selling products to fundraise, and as a community going on funs runs for men’s mental health. “ My favorite memory is hosting the Fun Run and seeing everyone run together while supporting the same cause.
It really felt like we were close as a club and united as a community.” Billy hasn’t always been an officer however, he had to work his way up to it voluntarily. “ I really enjoy being an officer because it makes me feel like an important part of the school community.I like being someone people feel comfortable coming to and talking with. Officiating a club means making sure everyone feels included while also organizing events like the Fun Run. It can be challenging, but finding meaningful ways to spread awareness makes it worth it.“ This is a huge amount of work to juggle in high school, so naturally it teaches skills and lessons necessary for after high school. “Being involved has helped me develop leadership skills as an officer and president. More importantly, I joined because I believe in the cause and wanted to help spread awareness.” Billy is incredibly passionate about MMH and now that he’s graduating new officers will have to carry on the club without him, when asking Billy what makes MMH the club of choice for new officers he said “MMH stands out to me because it focuses on a real and important issue that often isn’t talked about enough. Unlike many other clubs, it creates a safe space for honest conversations that actually matter.”
“I joined MMH because most of my friends joined,” new student Ameer stated when asked about why he decide
d to join MMH. He found it to be a great way to connect and hang out with people, which, according to the CDC, is beneficial for mental health. “I’m really enjoying my time (in MMH)! Being part of a club at ISB has been a fantastic way to feel more connected to the school community outside of just classes. It provides a structured but relaxed environment to meet people who share a common interest, and it’s given me a chance to develop my leadership and collaboration skills in a practical setting.”
From his experience, Ameer highlights the strong sense of community within the club and how connected the group has gotten. Apart from the social aspect of the club, he is also interested in the topic itself, men’s mental health. “I had an interest in learning about men’s mental health,” Ameer explains, and his interest in learning doesn’t stop with him, but he enjoys teaching others as well. “We’re not just a discussion group; we are committed to providing tangible resources and organizing engaging events that promote healthy coping mechanisms.” This is all possible because of MMH’s authenticity and action, Ameer says. One example was MMH’s burger fundraiser, which was a massive success, as well as the ‘Mindful Movement’ fundraiser which Ameer chose to speak on. “Seeing so many students attend, and watching people who usually wouldn’t talk about their feelings open up and share their perspectives in a safe space, was really powerful.” At the end of the day, in the club fair with over thirty clubs screaming his name, Ameer chose MMH. We’ve already discussed why, but now that he’s a member, does he regret it? “I prefer MMH because of the direct impact and relevance of its mission. While other clubs are great, the topic of mental health, specifically addressing the stigma around men’s mental health, feels crucial right now.”
Apparently not.
You may not realize it, but someone around you may be in need of support. Studies show that suicide risk in men decrease significantly when consistent mental and social support is provided. That’s MMH’s purpose, whether they are going through a hard time or not MMH is an outlet you can rely on. The stigma around men not being able to seek support is exactly why MMH is more prevalent now than ever.
