The Oneida County Department of Mental Health and the Oneida County Suicide Prevention Coalition premiered a men’s mental health awareness public service announcement on June 27 at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica.
Funded by the Center for Family Life and Recovery, the PSA was developed in partnership with a broad coalition of community organizations with the goal of confronting the stigma and silence surrounding men’s mental health.
“Three out of four suicide deaths in Oneida County are men between the ages of 35 and 65 — a devastating statistic that we can no longer ignore,” said Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr., who appears in the video. “Too many men suffer quietly, pressured to appear strong and unaffected. This video is about changing that. It’s about showing that real strength lies in facing our struggles, seeking support and lifting each other up.”
The video, which was produced by C&D Advertising, features several local men who stepped forward to share personal perspectives on why men’s mental health matters. In addition to Picente, participants include DuWayne Engram (YWCA/AMEND), Britton Tarris (LCSW/LMFT), Nigel Dunkley (Hoopers Rehab), Critter Maldonado (Next Level Barbershop), Sean Miri (Oneida County Department of Mental Health), Ernie Lowenkompf (Helio Health), and Ya Za (Tint Goat, LLC).
“Each of these individuals represents a vital voice in our community, standing together to challenge stigma, promote healing, and inspire connection,” Oneida County officials said in a statement.
The PSA launch marks a step in a broader movement to reshape how mental health is discussed — particularly among men — and to encourage those struggling to seek the help they deserve.
The PSA can be viewed on Oneida County’s website, all of Oneida County’s social media channels and the OC C.A.R.E.S. app. It will also air on local television.
“This is more than a video — it’s a call to action,” Picente said. “Let this premiere be the beginning of something bigger. Let us continue to support one another and ensure that no one in Oneida County ever feels like they have to face their challenges alone.”
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Oneida County raising awareness for men’s mental health with PSA: How to watch
Reporting by Casey Pritchard, Utica Observer Dispatch / Observer-Dispatch
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