Men's support group forms at NAMI

National Alliance on Mental Illness Hancock County has created a new support group for men with mental health struggles. Eric McKee, executive director of the organization, said staff had noticed in NAMI's co-ed connection groups that the men tended to let the women do most of the talking. So, they decided to create a group where men could talk solely with each other. McKee has been involved with NAMI Ohio since 2006 and said he has seen that men tend not to open up as much in co-ed groups. However, the walk-ins who come to NAMI Hancock County's office to talk with McKee one on one are predominantly men. "There's a lot of humor" at the men's group, said Brandon Nusbaum, who facilitates the group along with McKee. He noted that embracing humor is among the national NAMI principles. Nusbaum, who will earn his masters in social work from the University of Toledo in May, is completing his second internship at NAMI Hancock County. He said he was interested in NAMI because it is built around peers. While a therapist and a client might approach the situation from different roles, peers will instead meet on the same level, he said. And, Nusbaum said, some men are finding it's more helpful to talk to peers than to a therapist. Nusbaum said simply looking at the statistics makes it apparent that a group like this is needed. "Suicide has been on the rise for men since 2000," he said. Nusbaum said he hopes to see it grow into a cohesive group where people feel supported and able to talk. McKee said it's harder to get men to come through NAMI's door in the first place. What he hears is that "having a mental health problem is emasculating." McKee said he thought the attitudes would differ across generations. He said younger men in their 20s and 30s have been coming to the men's group, possibly because they feel more comfortable than older men might. NAMI Hancock County holds educational groups, which follow a specific curriculum and last eight weeks. McKee said that participants learn about mental health conditions and learn skills to cope with them. By contrast, the support groups like this one feature open-ended discussion. People might talk about what they are experiencing and share their coping skills. The men's Connection Recovery Support Group, which is open to men 18 and older, started on Jan. 26. It meets from 6:30-8 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at NAMI's office at 305 W. Hardin St. No registration is necessary.