The comedian Elayne Boosler joked with more than a little bit of humor and insight into the human condition: “When women are depressed, they either eat or go shopping. Men invade another country.” On a more scientific note, we know that males are involved in more violence than females. In his engaging look at men’s health, Will Courtenay, Ph.D, author of Dying to Be Men tells us that men are more likely to engage in violent behavior and are also more likely to be victims of violent behavior. Males are nearly four times more likely to be murdered than are females. They are also four times more likely to commit suicide.
“Violent deaths in general are far more common among men,” says Dr. Courtenay. “Among those under age 45, men and boys account for three of four violent deaths, and these violent deaths account for more than one third (35%) of all deaths that occur among those under age 45.” But male vulnerability doesn’t end with violence. Males are also more likely to die from disease—everything from heart disease to lung disease.
In fact, for all 15 leading causes of death (except for Alzheimer’s disease) men and boys have higher age-adjusted death rates than women and girls. And “these 15 leading killers account for more than 80% of all deaths in the United States,” says Courtenay. When a man dies before his time, it is a tragedy for the man, but also for his family.
For more than 40 years, I have been helping men and those who love them to live well throughout their lives. This year I’ve decided to train 20 health-care practitioners who want to expand their professional work in the men’s health field. I recently put out an invitation: “I’m Looking for a Few Good Men and Women: Are You One of Them?
The response has been excellent. I’ve heard from men and women from throughout the U.S. and around the world (I want to train people who can reach as many people as possible). Here is a sample of what they are saying on their applications:
“I have a passion for working with young men and their families in the areas of healthy relationships, anger management and high-risk behaviors such as substance abuse, physical/emotional violence and other self-destructive tendencies. The primary reason for my interest in this training is to work with a leader in the field of men’s health/counseling in order to facilitate my further growth as a counselor, husband, father, son, brother, friend and mentor. In other words, to become a better Man and member of my community and help others do the same.”
“When men understand themselves better from a holistic point of view, they will be able to adjust better to a changing society in which the old man/women roles are not valid anymore. When men become more open, more vulnerable, when it is allowed for them to be more themselves, then a lot of macho behavior will disappear and then women will be allowed to be women again, and they will not have to behave like men in their fight for some rights. Men and women can then be partners, companions in equality but with their own specific gender qualities.”
Why This Unique Training Opportunity Might Be Right For You
Let’s face it, there are literally hundreds of training opportunities available to you. Every day I get emails and offers for one training after another. I know that your interest is somewhat aroused. But I’m sure you have many questions and concerns. Before you can make an informed decision, we’ll need to talk and you’ll get details about time, costs, and the ultimate value of an investment of your time and money.
Here are some questions to consider that will help you decide if it’s worth your time to get more information:
- Do you work in the field of health-care as a Physician, Social Worker, Psychologist, Marriage and Family Therapist, RN, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant, Naturopath, Chiropractor, Acupuncturist, Life Coach, Wellness Coach, Teacher, etc.?
- Are you committed to your own healing as a man and/or are you concerned about other males that are important in your life?
- Are you tired of working longer hours, making less money, and having less time to work with the clients you care about?
- Would you like less stress and hassle and more time to enjoy your work, your family, yourself, and your community.
- Do you sense that something’s wrong with how we’re practicing healing and long to be part of the solution?
- Have you had a wake-up call with a health issue of your own – or that of a loved one – that changed your life, and now you want to use what you’ve learned from that experience to help others?
- Are you committed to being a force for healing for men and their families?
- Would you like to be trained by one of the world’s leading experts on men’s health?
- Does this invitation excite you, but also scare you a bit?
If you answered “yes” to at least three of these questions, you’re the kind of person I’d like on my team. I’d like to explore your needs and interests in more depth and see if my training would be right for you.
Send me an email (be sure to respond to my spamarrest filter if you are writing for the first time). Put “training” in the subject line. I’ll send you more detailed information. I look forward to hearing from a few good men and women who have a passion to join me in the emerging field of gender-specific health-care and men’s health.
Please join me on Twitter @MenAliveNow
