In Good Company Podcast: With Dr. Paul Sharp
Did you know that loneliness can be as harmful to your health as smoking 15 cigarettes as day?
Join the host and expert, Dr. Paul Sharp, on the In Good Company Podcast to explore the power of peer support with your buddies, and how to bolster a more connected life. Discover why meaningful friendships are essential to your well-being, and gain practical tips to better connect with your guy friends.
Dr. Paul Sharp has become a Senior Lecturer (Health Behaviour Change/Sport Psychology) in the School of Health Sciences at the University of New South Wales. He completed his postdoctoral training at the University of British Columbia, and is an academic member of UBC's Men's Health Research Program and the Reducing Male Suicide Research Excellence Cluster. Dr. Sharp is leading a research project exploring men’s social connection and peer support for mental health challenges. Findings from this research will be used to create online resources to encourage and support men to engage in peer support and mutual help for mental health challenges.
This project was funded by the New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF).
In Good Company Website: Benefits of Social Connections for Men's Health
We recruited 65 men (19-78 years old) with diverse backgrounds from across Canada, and asked them to submit photographs that illustrated their perspectives and experiences connecting with and supporting other guys. They were then interviewed over Zoom to narrate the stories and ideas behind their photographs.
The photographs and narratives were distilled into 3 ways for men to learn why it’s important to connect, and how to connect better with their buddies:
Get Connected: Check out why it’s important to connect with a buddy, and how you can start to build and maintain your friendships.
Checking In: Learn how you can check in on your buddy to find out what’s really going on with them.
Reaching Out: Check out ways you can ask a buddy for support, and navigate through tough conversations.
This project was funded by the New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF).
Men Building Intimate Partner Relationships
This study aims to create space for men to share their strategies and skills for building and sustaining intimate partner relationships.
110 participants shared over 700 photos with us that symbolized equitable intimate partner relationships. Please click on the link below to view the photos and find out more about this project.
Preventing Male Suicide through Social Connection and Mutual Help
This study aims to learn what's working for men - or what's not - when it comes to social connection and peer support for mental health challenges. Findings from this research will be used to develop an online resource to support men to engage in peer support for better mental health.
Men in Mind
A world-first online training program for mental health practitioners, specifically designed to improve their confidence and competence to engage and respond to men in therapy.
The Buoy Project
A collaborative project that speaks to the evidence gap in suicide prevention interventions for men and boys in Australia.
Through the eyes of men
A project that uses photography to enable men to discuss their experiences of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts
HeadsUpGuys
An online resource for men experiencing depression.