The Cass County Mental Health Initiative will host its first-ever event Saturday morning to raise awareness of men’s mental health.
“Teeing Off the Stigma” is an individual open play golf tournament held at Logansport Golf Club (20 Cedar Island Dr.).
On-site registration begins at 8 a.m. with golf starting at 9 a.m. Cost is $50 per golfer and all funds raised will go towards future scholarships to help those wanting to attend trade school.
Although more women attempt suicide, they are four times more likely to complete the attempt than men, and that number is even higher for men over the age of 85, according to a report from Mental Health America.
Three of the event’s organizers are women who have experienced loss through suicide.
Angela DiDomenico, who lost her son to suicide, said she has seen an increase in suicides, especially among men, in the four years since her son died.
She felt mental health awareness events needed to increase along with the numbers.
“There’s nothing for men’s mental health awareness,” said Kayleigh Jarvis, whose daughter died. “A lot of people don’t even know that there’s a Mental Health Awareness Month.”
“The reason men’s mental health is so important to us is because we have to break down this idea that men have to look tough and that they can’t have feelings,” says Alisha Byers. “That’s been the case for so long. We teach boys from a young age that they shouldn’t cry. They shouldn’t have these feelings and if they do, they need to learn how to deal with them.”
Byers lost her brother to suicide seven years ago, and since then she has experienced many more losses, many of them men.
Mental health resources will be available on-site for anyone with questions or wanting more information.
The three golfers with the highest scores will be able to choose from three prize options including a Luminary Lines sculpture, a hat from Thread Werks, a Black Dog Coffee Bundle and golfing gear from Golf Addict. The top three golfers will also receive a gift basket designed by Joyce Shafer.
“It’s a beautiful thing to have accepted the tragedies and pain in your life and found purpose,” Jarvis said. “We can help raise awareness so others don’t have to join the unfortunate club that we are a part of.”
“I want people to realize that just because something is going on doesn’t make them any less than,” DiDomenico said.
If you have questions about the event or would like to participate in an upcoming event, please email us at casscountymenmentalhealth@gmail.com.
