The Office of Communications has been named a finalist in the national City-County Communications & Marketing Association’s (3CMA) annual Savvy Awards for its “Feet hit the floor; let’s go.” Stories from the Men’s Mental Health Meet-up campaign in the Government Service Delivery/Community Issue. This puts it in the top three nationally for this category, and final winners will be announced at the 3CMA Annual Conference in September.
“It’s an honor to be recognized for this work, but it’s an even greater honor to be allowed to sit with this group of guys, hear them talk candidly, watch them support each other, be part of their journey, and then be allowed to tell their stories,” says Chris Floore, Macon-Bibb County Chief Communications Officer.
“Sometimes, guys just want to be heard and to know that others are listening, and it’s amazing to see the positive reaction to their stories, to see them being so well received,” says Jeremy Grissom, Macon-Bibb Special Projects Manager. “When we hear in the meetings from guys who didn’t know where to turn and they found us through a simple internet search…it shows us these stories are working, that they are resonating with people, and that they are helping us reach more people.”
Despite men being nearly four times as likely to commit suicide as women, and 1 in 5 men experiencing some kind of mental health issue, fewer than half receive treatment any treatment.
The Men’s Mental Health Meet-up was started to provide outreach to men and give them a chance to take a break, reflect on their lives, seek advice, and realize they are not alone.
To increase participation, Floore brings men “into” the meeting without them being there by telling the story of the participants attending. He not only takes quotes, pictures, and notes, he is an active participant, diving deep into the discussions and writing about it from a personal space.
“There is power in people’s stories, and it’s that power that has given us the chance to help men who may not know where to turn,” adds Floore. “Through the power of these guys’ stories, they are helping us open doors for other men to reach out.”
“I am incredibly grateful to the Office of Communications for capturing these stories with such care and authenticity, and to the Macon Violence Prevention team for their steadfast dedication to the well-being of our community,” says Dr. Gloria Cisse, Macon Mental Health Matters Clinical Director.
Since beginning the series of stories, attendance at the meetings has gone from 3-5 men per month to nearly 20 every month. Other indicators inside of the growth include:
- Every month, there are at least 3 first-time attendees, with the several months having 6-7 first timers.
- For three months straight, a father brought his son with him.
- There are at least 8 men who attend just about every single month, providing stability and a stronger base of support.
- Women have reached out asking for details to give to their partners who are looking for a setting like this.
With the number of stories posted across multiple platforms, the Meet-ups have become the top search on Google. By searching for “men’s mental health groups in Macon,” a person gets information about the Meet-up through Google AI and the top search results.
The meetings typically end later than the proscribed hour (some have gone to two hours) because of the depth of the discussion…and the deeper they get, the more the men want to talk. When it’s all over, men who started as strangers are saying goodbye with a hug and encouraging words.
“This recognition belongs to everyone who has worked to ensure that men know they are seen, valued, and never alone,” adds Dr. Cisse. “May this continue to encourage more men to choose healing over silence. We appreciate the power of stories and partnership!”
About the Office of Communications
The Office of Communications includes Chris Floore, Emily Wilson, Edna Adams, and Olivia Walter. Their charge is to find the best ways to let people know what the government and its partners are doing to improve the community through strategic communications, media relations, video & photography services, graphic design, a weekly e-newsletter, event planning, message development, social media, online content, crisis communications, and more.
This is one of nearly 60 individual, team, and project recognitions earned by the Office of Communications; it is fourth national award earned for work with Macon Mental Health Matters. They have been awarded by NACIO, the City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA), National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC), PR Daily, PR News, PRSA Georgia, SeeClickFix, the Georgia chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America, and Engaging Local Government Leaders.
About 3CMA
The City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA) is the nation’s premiere network of local government communicators. The organization was founded in 1988 on the philosophy that communications and marketing are essential to helping governments engage and build stronger relationships with their residents. Effective public communicators are vital to local government success, linking residents to the essential information they need to access services and be part of the democratic process. They play a key role in cultivating a shared vision for the community.
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