Heads Up Guys

Heads Up Guys

A program of The University of British Columbia (UBC), operating under the leadership of Dr. John Ogrodniczuk, a Professor of Psychiatry and the Director of the Psychotherapy Program at UBC.

Our team of clinicians, researchers, and mental health advocates combine their expertise and personal experiences to provide you with this unique resource.

Heads Up Guys is located at UBC’s Vancouver Campus, on the traditional territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people. HeadsUpGuys is a global resource, with over 3,000,000 visits from countries worldwide.

Heads Up Guys website resource was launched in 2015.

The operational costs of Heads Up Guys are funded exclusively through the generosity of private donations.

The HeadsUpGuys website, headsupguys.org, contains the following:

• Information about men’s depression and suicide, including potential risk factors and triggers, as well as common misconceptions about depression among men (eg, depression is a sign of personal weakness)
• A self-check screening tool for depression (PHQ-9), including directives for action when the user is provided with the screening score results
• Practical tips for self-management, focusing on the topics of sleep, stress management, social life, physical activity, food, and sex and relationships
• Health and crisis lines that men can reach out to for help
• Information about professional services, including psychotherapy, medications, and inpatient services
• Guidance about what to do if a crisis (ie, heightened suicide risk) arises
• Advice on how to reach out to others, including friends, family, and health professionals
• Testimonials (stories of recovery, practical tips) and YouTube videos from men who have recovered from depression
• Guidance for supporters of men living with depression
• Links to social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) to encourage user engagement

PHQ—patient health questionnaire.