UNL to launch 'Real Men, Real Depression' campaign Oct. 4

In an attempt to reach men who may be experiencing depression and in need of psychological consultation, a "Real Men, Real Depression" campaign will be launched Oct. 4 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The UNL campaign is in conjunction with the National Institute of Mental Health's Real Men, Real Depression campaign created in 2003. The campaign was created primarily to raise public awareness about depression among men and to address the fact that men are less likely to recognize, acknowledge and seek treatment for their depression. The start of the UNL campaign coincides with UNL's National Depression Screening Day on Oct. 5.

The campaign launch will feature two events on Oct. 4:

Training Session -- Nebraska Union (room posted), 3 p.m.: Training session on how to work more effectively with men, especially depressed men, in a variety of settings. This free event is primarily reserved for faculty, clinicians and graduate students and will be led by Aaron Rochlen, a researcher and counseling psychology faculty member at the University of Texas at Austin.

Program Launch -- Love Library Auditorium. 7 p.m.: Rochlen is an expert on men's experiences with depression. He will offer the keynote address to launch UNL's Real Men, Real Depression campaign. Other speakers will include James Griesen, former vice chancellor for student affairs at UNL, and Rodolfo Palma-Lulion of Ann Arbor, Mich., a man who suffered from depression and sought help. This event is free and open to the public.

NIMH estimates that at least 6 million men in the United States suffer from a depressive disorder every year. Men are also less likely to seek professional help despite being four times more likely to complete suicide than women. Some male-specific symptoms of depression include overwork, alcohol and/or drug abuse. anger and/or violence, and withdrawal.

For more information contact Counseling and Psychological Services at (402) 472-7450 or the Employee Assistance Program at (402) 472-3107 or visit the Real Men, Real Depression Web site (www.unl.edu/health/students/caps/rmrd).

The Real Men, Real Depression events are sponsored by: Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs; Counseling and Psychological Services; Women's Center; Employee Assistance Program; Psychology Department; Sociology Department; Psychology of Gender Student Organization; and the Kim Foundation. Event contributors include NU Connections, OASIS, QSA, Student Involvement and University Housing.

CONTACTS: Mary Swoboda, Mental Health Practitioner, University Health Center, (402) 472-7450;
Scott Winrow, Psychologist, University Health Center, (402) 472-7450;
Tina Hoffman, University Health Center, (402) 472-7450