Men and Depression
65-70 Minutes
Resource Review(minus 15 minutes if completed before class)
Watch a Film
Breathing Exercise
Guided Discussion
Watch a Film
Guided Discussion
Closing Thoughts and Evaluations
Participants will be able to:
Identify common themes and misconceptions about men and mental health, drawing from both the handout and the films.
Explain how internal messages, cultural expectations, and emotional pressures influence the protagonists in the films _Tunnel Beach_ and _Rompiendo Olas_.
Analyze coping strategies shown in the films, including the role of communication, connection, and gratitude in navigating difficult emotions.
Reflect on ways to support oneself and others when noticing possible signs of depression or emotional distress.
This Class invites Participants to deepen their understanding of how men experience and navigate mental health challenges. Through a review of educational materials and two short films, Participants explore the internal messages, social expectations, and emotional barriers that can shape help seeking and coping. Guided discussion and reflection support Participants in recognizing the complexity of men’s mental health experiences and identifying compassionate ways to support themselves and others who may be struggling.
topics covered
Culture of Masculinity, Depression
aom nutrients
Empathy
casel sel
Social awareness
wellness wheel
Social, Emotional
identities
Adult, Older adult, Immigrant, Latino/a/x, White, Man / male, Woman / female, Farmer
film style
Drama, Documentary
Films Included
Rompiendo Olas
An intimate and poetic documentary of migration, family unity and a search for healing the self, Rompiendo Olas centers on a young migrant worker who periodically fights a personal battle with anxiety and depression. Describing his illness as intense “olas que rompen/waves that break.” His struggles and health exploration are the focus of our story.
film style
Documentary
identities
Latino/a/x, Man / male, Older adult, Immigrant, Farmer
Tunnel Beach
Tunnel Beach is an attempt at expressing suicide and depression, both internally, and in relation to those we love. The film showcases the duality of how complicated asking for help can be, despite how powerful and necessary that vulnerability is.
film style
Drama
identities
White, Man / male, Woman / female, Adult