Chapter 1: The Evolution of Men's Mental Health

In this concluding segment of the series, we delve into the advancements and challenges in men's mental health. If you haven’t followed the previous installments, make sure to check out Parts 1 through 6 for the complete picture. This final chapter introduces several healthcare pioneers who are at the forefront of enhancing men's mental, emotional, and relational well-being.

Reflecting on my childhood, I recall visiting my father in a mental hospital in 1949, a time when mental health support for men was almost non-existent. Thankfully, there have been substantial improvements since then, yet we continue to grapple with significant health challenges that complicate our current circumstances.

As highlighted by Gabor Maté in his insightful book, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness & Healing in a Toxic Culture, there exists a deeper issue within our culture contributing to the surge of chronic health problems, both mental and physical. He argues that these cultural blind spots obscure our understanding of the links between our health and our emotional-social experiences.

Recently, I had new business cards printed, featuring my photo alongside the message: Jed Diamond, Ph.D. Supporting Men and the Women Who Care for Them Since 1969. It dawned on me that my commitment to this cause truly began in 1949.

Long Live Men: A Mission to Heal and Inspire

After the publication of my fifteenth book, The Enlightened Marriage: The 5 Transformative Stages of Relationships and Why the Best is Still to Come, I believed I had concluded my writing journey. My initial book, Inside Out: Becoming My Own Man, was released in 1983, and I felt that I had created a substantial body of work. My focus shifted towards spending time with loved ones and mentoring emerging healers in the field.

However, my wife Carlin, who has always been my greatest supporter, suggested an unexpected challenge: "You should write one more book." I was taken aback, especially since writing a book typically demands years of effort and we were both aiming to reduce our workloads rather than expand them.

"Given the current global climate and the growing divide between men and women, you should create a book that fosters unity."

The outcome was 12 Rules for Good Men, which garnered praise from esteemed colleagues, including John Gray, who remarked, "Jed has been a trusted voice in men's work for over fifty years. This guide is invaluable for both men and women."

Unfortunately, the release coincided with the onset of Covid, limiting promotional opportunities.

I was fortunate to gather a group of distinguished colleagues who excel in the realm of men's mental, emotional, and relational health to join me in what I termed our Moonshot for Mankind initiative. This endeavor led to my upcoming book, Long Live Men! The Moonshot Mission to Heal Men, Close the Lifespan Gap, and Offer Hope to Humanity, set to release later this year. The concluding chapter features contributions from each founding member of our Moonshot for Mankind.

The Moonshot Initiative and Its Significance

I am convinced that men not only act as early warning signals for the challenges humanity faces but also represent a beacon of hope. Here are some stark statistics regarding men's health compared to women’s:

• Men have a shorter life expectancy.
• Their immune systems are generally weaker.
• Men face a higher likelihood of developmental disabilities.
• They experience greater mortality rates from nine of the top ten causes of death.
• A staggering 92 percent of workplace fatalities involve men.
• Suicide rates among men are 3–10 times higher than those of women.
• Men exhibit weaker health at every life stage, from infancy to old age.

At MenAlive, I share insights on our Moonshot for Mankind. With over five decades in this field, I aim to maximize my positive influence on the world. Research by Randolph Nesse, MD and Daniel Kruger, PhD, conducted nearly two decades ago, found that men in 20 countries consistently die earlier and live with poorer health than women, a trend that adversely affects both men and their families.

Their conclusions were profound:

• "Being male is currently the most significant demographic factor for early death."
• "If men's mortality rates matched those of women, over 375,000 lives could be spared annually in the U.S. alone."
• "Aligning male mortality rates with those of females could prevent more than one-third of male deaths before age 50."
• "Equalizing male and female mortality rates would yield greater benefits than curing cancer."

While biological and hormonal differences favor women's health and longevity, we also recognize that men—and those who care for them—can take proactive steps to enhance male health.

In 2021, I invited a group of dedicated colleagues to help launch the Moonshot for Mankind initiative, which began rolling out online programs in July 2023. Here’s a brief introduction to some of our founding members:

• Frederick Marx: An acclaimed director and writer, known for his Oscar-nominated work. His film HOOP DREAMS remains one of the highest-grossing documentaries in U.S. history. He has authored several influential books, including Rites to a Good Life.
• Lisa Hickey: CEO of Good Men Media Inc. and publisher of the Good Men Project, she leads conversations on the modern definition of a good man. Lisa is an advocate for diversity and inclusion and has authored three books.
• Joe Conrad: Founder and CEO of Grit Digital Health, he leads a team focused on breaking down barriers to mental health support, including the award-winning Man Therapy campaign.
• Shana James: A coach to leaders and visionaries, she has empowered over a thousand individuals to enhance their leadership and personal fulfillment. Shana is the author of Honest Sex.
• MaLe Corona: An advocate for holistic wellness, she leads men’s groups aimed at restoring connection between mind and body, emphasizing the importance of physical sensations for self-awareness.

As we move forward, I invite you to visit our website, Moonshot for Mankind, and become part of our vision for a healthier future for all.

This article concludes the series. If you wish to receive more insights like these, consider joining our mailing list for the latest updates on men’s health and gender-specific healing.

In this enlightening video, Dr. Cory Torgerson discusses innovative approaches to addressing erectile dysfunction, shedding light on solutions that empower men to reclaim their health.

Deepak Chopra shares transformative insights into the nature of happiness and fulfillment, offering practical wisdom for living a more joyful life in this engaging episode.