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Penelope Kae's avatar

I’m currently working on a Masters degree in school counseling. We share classes with the BCBA and CMHC students as well as others entering the mental health field. I’ve encountered only two male students among my classmates so far and I can assure you that none of these future counselors and clinicians are being trained to meet the needs of the majority of their future students and clients. The struggles and needs of men and boys are never addressed. We have many, many lectures on how to address the needs of women and minority populations. While I think these discussions are valuable and should continue, some clear and intentional conversations about men and boys as well would also be valuable. As women entering an already female dominated field, wouldn’t we benefit from some instruction on how to meet the needs of the majority of our futures clients and students? When I’ve brought up these concerns, I’ve mostly been condescendingly dismissed. So not only is the suicide crisis among men growing, but the future of the profession meant to support them is not being adequately prepared.

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daniel beck's avatar

I was telling a woman close to me (ok, it was my wife) about this article. She hadn’t heard that suicide rates were higher for men and boys, but she wasn’t surprised because ”men are more violent than women”. I let that pass because being married means learning to pick one’s battles, plus I like to give any idea the benefit of the doubt before I take issue with it. But it almost sounded like blaming the victim. I wonder how many people, men as well as women, believe similarly. Could this be a problem, too?

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