Real Men Real Depression Campaign in Peoria, Illinois
Outreach Partnership Program 2005 Annual Meeting
Saturday April 2, 2005
Katie Jones, M.S.W., Executive Director
MHA of Illinois Valley
Ms. Jones began her presentation by showing the NIMH “Real Men Real Depression” public service announcements (PSAs). She expressed her thanks to the courageous men who told their stories in the PSAs and in so doing have provided hope to others. She showed a short film portraying how MHA of Illinois Valley (MHAIV) has implemented the campaign in Peoria. She also provided copies of a campaign guide, a PowerPoint presentation and statistical information on the demographics of workshop attendees, all of which can be obtained by e-mailing mhaiv@mhaiv.org.
The three goals for the Peoria program were as follows: to reduce stigma and thereby help to prevent suicide; to promote the 1-800-SUICIDE Hopeline; and to utilize NIMH’s free, ready-made materials. The program began when MHAIV received a City of Peoria community development block grant (CDBG) of $2,350 for the purpose of bringing the campaign to 200 low-income men at five community-based workshops. Low-income men were targeted initially because they are underserved, due to barriers to obtaining services and the stigma associated with seeking help for depression or other mental illnesses. Partnering with 12 community organizations, including the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and Peoria Rescue Ministries, MHAIV distributed 5,000 NIMH brochures to promote the messages of the campaign and to advertise the workshops. The program then expanded to other groups in the community: the Rotary Club, the Peoria city firefighters and the Illinois Sheriff’s Association.
Important to the success of the program was the active participation of key stakeholders in the community, including businessmen who were willing to tell their personal stories. Ms. Jones contacted a member of the Peoria City Council, whose family had created a foundation in memory of a brother who had committed suicide, and enlisted the family’s enthusiastic support for the campaign. The councilman interested another of his brothers, who was head of the firefighters union. He also spoke with the sheriff, a family friend, who found the campaign especially relevant because just weeks before, the president of the Illinois Sheriff’s Association had taken his own life. These contacts led to distribution of posters and brochures to firehouses, the sheriff’s department and county jail, as well as a presentation to the Illinois Sheriff’s Association. Caterpillar, which is headquartered in Peoria, has implemented the Real Men Real Depression campaign for its Peoria-based workforce.
When MHAIV did not receive another CDBG grant for 2005, they needed to think of other ways to continue the campaign by using volunteers. Volunteers have been very helpful in the footwork of distributing brochures throughout the city, and in placing PSAs on television. Ms. Jones created an internship for students at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, through which MHA would train a small group of students in the Real Men Real Depression workshop curriculum, as well as in QPR (question/persuade/respond) suicide prevention skills, and thus equip them to make community presentations on depression in men. Several medical students have completed the program, and MHAIV has also trained board members and other volunteers. Previously staffed by all women, MHAIV was also able to offer part-time positions to two men, one of whom is African American, to add credibility to the presentations and to better represent and engage with the male attendees at Real Men Real Depression workshops.
Ms. Jones passed on a number of tips to make presentations more effective. She and the other presenters utilize the PowerPoint presentation and brochures to communicate key messages--symptoms, recovery, where to get help--but also use active listening skills to connect with the personal experience of participants. To conclude, they ask a volunteer from the audience to read aloud the message: “You can feel better.” Ms. Jones also has found that passing out [donated] chocolate snack cakes is very popular, especially at the rescue mission.
At each presentation, simple evaluation forms, following the United Way data collection format, are distributed. They include demographic questions: name (optional), address, organization, city, county, age, race, ethnicity, and gender; five questions with 5 point Likert scales for rating the delivery of the presentation; and space for comments. It is essential to read the evaluations before leaving, because sometimes people will write that they have symptoms or need help. If an individual comes up to the presenter at the end and confides such information, it is important to offer a depression screening on the spot and then to connect the person with a naturally occurring community resource, preferably a staff member or a representative of the host Community Partner.
In 2005, the MHAIV will hold 10 Real Men Real Depression presentations at eight sites, and will distribute 6,000 brochures. In accordance with the primary goals of the program, 5,000 of the brochures will go to the community partners that serve low-income men. MHAIV will promote QPR suicide prevention skills training to employers with a predominantly male workforce, adding Real Men Real Depression materials. Target groups include first responders (as both consumers and providers)--firefighters, police, and emergency medical technicians. In the works is increased outreach to veterans, specifically U.S. Marine reservists in the community.
Ms. Jones cited a hopeful quote from Abraham Lincoln, an Illinois native son, who suffered from depression, saying that it resonates powerfully with her audiences. “In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all, and it often comes with bitter agony. Perfect relief is not possible, except with time. You cannot now believe that you will ever feel better, but this is not true. You are sure to be happy again. Knowing this, truly believing it, will make you less miserable now. I have had enough experience to make this statement.”
Questions and Answers
When asked how individuals without insurance gain access to help, Ms. Jones said that when MHAIV talks with rescue mission audiences, the presenter makes a special point of giving them information about local providers. In many cases, individuals may have had Medicaid coverage, but are no longer in the system. She wants to establish a peer advisor system that can link with individuals who need help and follow up with them.
A participant from Washington said that he had distributed the Real Men Real Depression brochures all over his state, and the feedback has been “fantastic.” He and Ms. Jones agreed that the NIMH campaign has great appeal to a broad audience.
Disclaimer
* This document is intended to summarize a speaker presentation at the NIMH Outreach Partnership Program’s Annual Meeting and is not an official statement or opinion of the NIMH. This information is in the public domain and may be used or reproduced for educational purposes without additional permission from the NIMH.
