Mountain Matters: Men’s Meet Up Support Group

As we close the chapter on September and Suicide Awareness month, mental health continues to grow into the limelight with different organizations around the country. From small face-to-face groups to large online communities, mental health is seeing advanced awareness in reducing the stigma and focusing on a positive change. And although The Mt. Hood Villages is a small community, the need is not relative to its size.

Acknowledging the mental health crisis throughout all walks of life, Dr. Joseph Rodriguez has recently taken it upon himself to create a men’s group focusing on mental health and the well being of The Mt. Hood Villages. Rodriguez and co-founder Prescott Vanderhoff have organized a group that currently meets once a month to discuss with other men the issues they may be facing with regard to their mental health. “As somebody who has multiple degrees in mental health, I have always found a support group very beneficial for many reasons,” Rodriguez said. “It’s provided me a sense of self-care and escape, as well as an opportunity to emote,” Rodriguez added.

Discussing topics that are relevant to each other’s lives, the men’s meet up group encourages its guests to explore their own issues via asking questions in a safe, confidential environment. “We typically give a question for the group to answer on how people are dealing with issues such as relationships with significant others and children,” Rodriguez said. “We then go around the room and have everybody share what they’re dealing with in that frame and offer up any solutions they’ve had in the past while successfully overcoming themAs we close the chapter on September and Suicide Awareness month, mental health continues to grow into the limelight with different organizations around the country. From small face-to-face groups to large online communities, mental health is seeing advanced awareness in reducing the stigma and focusing on a positive change. And although The Mt. Hood Villages is a small community, the need is not relative to its size.

Acknowledging the mental health crisis throughout all walks of life, Dr. Joseph Rodriguez has recently taken it upon himself to create a men’s group focusing on mental health and the well being of The Mt. Hood Villages. Rodriguez and co-founder Prescott Vanderhoff have organized a group that currently meets once a month to discuss with other men the issues they may be facing with regard to their mental health. “As somebody who has multiple degrees in mental health, I have always found a support group very beneficial for many reasons,” Rodriguez said. “It’s provided me a sense of self-care and escape, as well as an opportunity to emote,” Rodriguez added.

Discussing topics that are relevant to each other’s lives, the men’s meet up group encourages its guests to explore their own issues via asking questions in a safe, confidential environment. “We typically give a question for the group to answer on how people are dealing with issues such as relationships with significant others and children,” Rodriguez said. “We then go around the room and have everybody share what they’re dealing with in that frame and offer up any solutions they’ve had in the past while successfully overcoming them,” Rodriguez added. 

Rodriguez understands the social standards and unfortunate norms associated with men’s mental health and the generational expectations associated with such topics. It is that barrier Rodriguez and his fellow men’s mental health group organizers are trying to break, one conversation at a time. “Mental health is at an alarming rate of issue, especially with men,” Rodriguez said. “We’ve been raised not to talk about our feelings or share our thoughts with community or communion, which I call community union. It is very essential for men’s mental health and we need to get back to having a community,” Rodriguez added.

Although the men’s group is just getting started on the mountain, Rodriguez has high hopes that this outreach will continue to grow and aid those looking for an outlet. With the help of others and reading materials provided as tools for emotional healing, the group is focused on encouraging men to speak and feel. “We do provide resources and references on an individual basis per person, per situation. There’s usually someone there that can help somebody else. It’s really a tribe of people to help,” Rodriguez said.

Currently the men’s group meets every Thursday morning, 6 a.m.-7a.m., and Sunday evenings, 6 p.m.-  8 p.m. For more information on the groups, call 208-704-2215 or email guardianmthood@gmail.com

,” Rodriguez added. 

Rodriguez understands the social standards and unfortunate norms associated with men’s mental health and the generational expectations associated with such topics. It is that barrier Rodriguez and his fellow men’s mental health group organizers are trying to break, one conversation at a time. “Mental health is at an alarming rate of issue, especially with men,” Rodriguez said. “We’ve been raised not to talk about our feelings or share our thoughts with community or communion, which I call community union. It is very essential for men’s mental health and we need to get back to having a community,” Rodriguez added.

Although the men’s group is just getting started on the mountain, Rodriguez has high hopes that this outreach will continue to grow and aid those looking for an outlet. With the help of others and reading materials provided as tools for emotional healing, the group is focused on encouraging men to speak and feel. “We do provide resources and references on an individual basis per person, per situation. There’s usually someone there that can help somebody else. It’s really a tribe of people to help,” Rodriguez said.

Currently the men’s group meets every Thursday morning, 6 a.m.-7a.m., and Sunday evenings, 6 p.m.-  8 p.m. For more information on the groups, call 208-704-2215 or email guardianmthood@gmail.com