Men's mental health: Deconstructing stereotypes on hypermasculinity and creating positive self-identify with the Hero's Journey paradigm

Date: May 27, 2025

Time: 9 a.m. to noon ET

Facilitator: Michel Jones, MSW, RSW, RP.

This training is suitable for:

• Mental Health Professionals: psychotherapists, psychologists, counsellors, social workers
• Medical Professionals: nurses, psychiatrists, pediatricians, family doctors
• Direct Service Workers: drop in workers, shelter and hostel workers
• First Responders: police, firefighters, paramedics

Client age category: For professionals that work with adult clients.

Level of training: Introductory/intermediate.

Description: Current cultural stereotypes around hypermasculinity reinforce unrealistic expectations for men about their self-identity. The concept of a "hero's journey" offers a helpful narrative, focusing on strength through acknowledgement of vulnerability and acceptance of connection. It's important to recognize that it can be harder than ever for some men to navigate their mental health issues with the added confusion around notions of traditional masculinity, especially in the era of the #MeToo movement.

Joseph Campbell's 7 Steps of the Hero's Journey will be explored as the structure for this training. This Hero's Journey paradigm offers men a positive framework to better connect themselves to others.

Learning objectives:

• Learn how to use the concept of hero as a framework in the treatment of men experiencing the repercussions of trauma and/or addiction, giving purpose to their struggle with shame, vulnerability and fear.
• Grounded within narrative therapy tradition, participants will acquire helpful strategies to break down negative self-narrative and move to a more positive and hopeful narrative.
• Learn how to utilize Joseph Campbell's seven steps of the Hero's Journey to provide structure to sessions in their own work.
• Study, examine and use practical worksheets to support clients between sessions.

Registration fee: General $150 | Student $135

Learn more and register at: https://cvent.me/9M2gWP