As the holiday season approaches, mental health challenges among men often become more pronounced. According to the Anxiety & Depression Society of America, over 6 million men in the United States experience depression each year, but many do not seek help due to stigma and cultural pressures. In Wisconsin alone, data from Mental Health America of Wisconsin indicates that more than 800 suicide deaths occurred last year, with middle-aged men accounting for over half of those cases.
In response to these concerns, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is launching a new self-paced course titled “What We Carry: Understanding Men’s Mental Health, Healing and Connection.” The course aims to provide education and practical tools for men dealing with mental health issues as well as for those who support them, such as partners, employers, counselors, and educators.
The course is led by Sinclair Ceasar III, CEO of Sinclairity Consulting LLC and Founder of Healing Fathers. Ceasar is a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor and TEDx Speaker. He has provided training and talks at numerous organizations including Whataburger, Microsoft, Toyota, LinkedIn, and the San Antonio Board of Realtors. His work has also been featured in outlets such as BuzzFeed, Essence Magazine, and The London Times.
Participants in the course will address topics such as stigma surrounding men’s mental health, unspoken grief and father wounds, cultural norms that discourage emotional expression, and community-based healing strategies. The program is designed to be accessible at any time and costs $59. Continuing education credits are available upon completion.
“This course is more than education—it’s a call to action. The holidays can be overwhelming, but they can also be a time for connection and healing. Don’t let silence win,” said organizers.
UW-Green Bay also collaborates with Mental Health America Lakeshore (MHA-Lakeshore) on an Addiction Recovery Certificate Program. This initiative provides professionals and allies with resources to promote resilience and reduce stigma related to addiction recovery. The university emphasizes community health and workforce development through programs focused on trauma, mental health issues, and social determinants of addiction.
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay serves more than 11,500 students across undergraduate through doctoral levels each year in addition to over 100,000 continuing education learners annually. With campuses in Green Bay, Manitowoc, Sheboygan, and a theatre in Marinette, UW-Green Bay offers over 200 academic degrees and certificates.
For further information about these programs or the university itself: www.uwgb.edu.
Source: UW-Green Bay launches online course addressing men’s mental health during holidays