New Book Offers Men 10 Tips to Cope with Mental Health Emergencies

Media Contact: Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas

Title: President, United Suicide Survivors International

SallySpencerThomas@gmail.com | (cell) 720-244-6535

New Book Offers Men 10 Tips to Cope with Mental Health Emergencies

DENVER (April 20, 2022) — Each year roughly 80% of people who die by suicide in the United States are male. Most of the men who die by suicide only have one attempt, and it’s fatal – most have never accessed mental health services. Peer support can often make the difference between life and death. Today, United Suicide Survivors International (United Survivors) announces the publication of the fourth and last book in a series to help support men’s mental health, “Guts, Grit & The Grind: A MENtal Mechanics MANual – 10 Advanced Mechanical Tips to Repair and Overhaul after a Breakdown” edited by Sally Spencer-Thomas Psy.D., Sarah Gaer, MA, and Frank King. For more information on the book series: https://www.gutsgritgrind.com/.

Increasingly from first responders to construction workers to our service members, many men are prioritizing their mental health. This book gives men actionable tools to face tough times and can be used as a stand-alone self-help guide or as something to augment therapy.

Volume 4 of Guts, Grit & The Grind covers mental health emergencies many men face including the emotional intensity resulting from difficult breakups, trauma, addictive behaviors, untreated mental health conditions and suicide. At the heart of the book are the personal and powerful stories of over 20 courageous men that inspire readers. The foreword is written by Dr. John Draper, Director of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and several stories are shared by national suicide prevention leaders, such as Kevin Hines, the man who survived a jump off the Golden Gate Bridge.

Throughout the book series the analogy of car maintenance helps highlight the importance of being proactive in taking care of your mental health. The format is like an automobile owner’s manual, using car metaphors many men can relate to like “preventative maintenance” and why diagnostics tests can lead to problem-solving. In this volume, readers are encouraged to heed the “CHECK ENGINE!” light of emotional intensity that increases during a crisis and to develop a roadmap to help them seek the support of a professional “mental mechanic” when times are tough.

Volumes 1, 2 and 3 of the Guts, Grit & The Grind book series also share the stories, science and strategy of men’s mental health with different areas of emphasis and are available on Amazon. All books in the series are a blend of a “Chicken Soup for the Man’s Soul” and a therapist’s workbook.

“There is nothing in this world more powerful to a hurting heart or exhausted soul than a story that tells us that we are not alone in our struggles and that highlights the path of hope,” said Sarah Gaer, trauma expert and co-editor of the book series. “Guts, Grit & The Grind does just that. It is peer support for men in a manual.”

“Mental health emergencies can be life threatening, and we need to take them seriously,” said Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, President of United Suicide Survivors International, survivor of her brother’s suicide and co-editor of the book series. “This book can help empower men to save their own lives. Some companies we work with are buying copies for the men in their workforce as well as for the women with a man in their lives.”

“As a Suicide Prevention Speaker my job is to start the conversation on the struggles those of us living with mental health challenges face,” said Frank King, Mental Health Comedian and co-editor of the book series. “I’m excited about Volume 4 of Guts, Grit & The Grind because it will continue to do the same, long after I’m gone. It gives me something. I never thought I’d leave behind a legacy.”

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Webster Bailey, Dr. Ted Bonar, Joanna Bridger, Rudy Caseres, Lt. (Ret) John Coppedge, 1st Sgt. (Ret.) Tomas (Tom) Cruz, Dr. John Draper, Rob England, Dr. Gerardo González, Kevin Hines, Jason Holzer, Carson Richards, Joshua “Josh” Rivedal, Chip Roberts, Chief Nathan Stoermer, Cameron “Cam” Stout, J.D., Eduardo Vega, Mike Veny, Juan Vigil, Seth Watkins, Sam Webb, and Brett “Zach” Zachman

CHAPTERS of Guts, Grit & The Grind: A MENtal Mechanics MANual – 10 Advanced Mechanical Tips to Repair & Overhaul after a Breakdown include: Chapter 1: Crash into You — Breakups and Fights; Chapter 2: Spinning Out of Control with Addiction; Chapter 3: Time to Call the Tow Truck — Reaching Out When You Break Down; Chapter 4: When Trauma Runs You Off the Road; Chapter 5: Suicide — A Complete System Breakdown 

To learn more, please visit www.GutsGritGrind.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, Pinterest, YouTube and LinkedIn. The book (or eBook) is available on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

Media Contact:
Sally Spencer-Thomas, SallySpencerThomas@gmail.com | 720-244-6535

●      NOTE: Several of our contributors are available to provide interviews

A portion of the proceeds benefits the 501(c) 3 nonprofit United Suicide Survivors International.

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ABOUT UNITED SUICIDE SURVIVORS INTERNATIONAL (UNITED SURVIVORS)
United Suicide Survivors International is an independent international organization that serves as a home for people who have experienced suicide loss, suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts and feelings, and their friends and families — collectively known as people with lived experience with suicide. Our goal is to leverage their expertise for large scale change. For more information, visit www.unitesurvivors.org or follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

MEDIA RELEASE: Third of Four Innovative Books on Men’s Mental Health Announces Launch April 8th

Tools to Troubleshoot Men’s Mental Health Challenges  

April 8, 2021

 “The Stories, Science and Strategy to Help Men Build and Maintain a Life Worth Living”

DENVER (April 8, 2021) — Today United Suicide Survivors International (United Survivors) announces the publication of the third book in a series to help support men’s mental health, “Guts, Grit & The Grind: A MENtal Mechanics MANual – 10 Tools to Troubleshoot Men’s Mental Health Challenges” edited by Sally Spencer-Thomas Psy.D., Sarah Gaer, MA, and Frank King. For more information on the book series: https://www.gutsgritgrind.com/.

As guys continue embracing the fact that mental health is an important part of men’s health, this self-help book gives men more tools to face tough times more constructively, and even address them before they get out of control. Men’s personal stories of resilience and transformation will inspire readers.

Volume 3 of Guts, Grit & The Grind is all about troubleshooting everyday problems that men face as they arise, and before they reach a crisis. Anger, grief, health challenges, relationship problems, work and financial stressors. Troubleshooting is the term used for thought processes that are specifically aimed at finding solutions to specific causes of distress. With your car, it can be anything from a test drive, to listening to it run, to connecting it to a diagnostic computer. With mental health, it looks like noticing these stressors when the problems are small and proactively addressing them head on rather than letting them pummel you into catastrophic situations.

Volume 1 and Volume 2 of the Guts, Grit & The Grind book series also shared the stories, science and strategy of men’s mental health with different areas of emphasis and are available on Amazon. All books in the series are a blend of a “Chicken Soup for the Man’s Soul” and a therapist’s workbook. Guts, Grit & The Grind is a collection of men’s stories of coping with trauma, addiction, depression and more. The format is like an automobile owner’s manual, using car metaphors many men can relate to like “preventative maintenance” and why diagnostics tests can lead to problem-solving.

“There. Is nothing in this world more powerful to a hurting heart or exhausted soul than a story that tells us that we are not alone in our struggles and that highlights the path of hope,” Sarah Gaer, trauma expert and co-editor of the book series. “Guts, Grit & The Grind does just that. It is peer support for men in a manual.”

Reggie Hubbard

“When we catch problems when they are emerging, they are more manageable,” Sally Spencer-Thomas, President of United Suicide Survivors International and co-editor of the book series. “This book helps men tackle life’s tough challenges by using proven tools and by learning from each other.”

“An unspoken norm in our society that must be dismantled and replaced is the norm around silence as it pertains to issues of men's mental health and well-being. Guts, Grit & The Grind shares important stories and insights on the ways that men feel trapped in and can escape from the perceived necessity of suffering in silence. Then we can truly find the help, techniques and care that are needed to successfully navigate this thing called life.” Reggie Hubbard,  Yogi, Teacher, Activist, Political Strategist and former Congressional Liaison.

“The stories were presented in a very relatable manner to my own experience with attempted suicide 25 years ago,” Mark Brown, President of Rock-it the Robot, Inc. “The authors present a cohesive and easily understood outline on a serious issue in a light manner without making light of it. I found the workbook portion to be very helpful and not far from my own work with cognitive behavioral therapy workbooks (understanding the difference between the emotional mind, wise mind, and reasonable mind).”

“As a Suicide Prevention Speaker my job is to start the conversation on the struggles those of us living with mental health challenges face,” Frank King, Mental Health Comedian and co-editor of the book series. “I’m excited about Volume 3 of Guts, Grit & The Grind because it will continue to do the same, long after I’m gone. It gives me something. I never thought I’d leave behind, a legacy.”

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Jon E. Beaulieu Sr; Dwight Brashear; Mike Cotayo; Jordan “Dxtr Spits” Holmes; Master Sergeant (Ret) Chris Jachimiec; Brandon J. Johnson, M.H.S., MCHES; Justin Kruger; Christopher Lierle; Steven Lomelino; David Marx; Scott Mason; John Mew; Brad Richard; Matt Runnalls; Scott Stewart

CHAPTERS of Guts, Grit & The Grind: A MENtal Mechanics MANual – 10 Tools to Troubleshoot Men’s Mental Health Challenges include: Chapter 1: Overheating with Conflict and Anger; Chapter 2: Lifting the Hood on Health Problems; Chapter 3: Beyond the Backseat of Intimacy Challenges; Chapter 4: The Rearview Mirror of Grief; Chapter 5: Lacking Horsepower When Money Problems Hit.

To learn more, please visit www.GutsGritGrind.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, Pinterest, YouTube and LinkedIn. The book (or eBook) is available on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

Media Contact:
Sally Spencer-Thomas, SallySpencerThomas@gmail.com | 720-244-6535

A portion of the proceeds benefits the 501(c) 3 nonprofit United Suicide Survivors International.

ABOUT UNITED SUICIDE SURVIVORS INTERNATIONAL (UNITED SURVIVORS)
United Suicide Survivors International is an independent international organization that serves as a home for people who have experienced suicide loss, suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts and feelings, and their friends and families — collectively known as people with lived experience with suicide. Our goal is to leverage their expertise for large scale change. For more information, visit www.unitesurvivors.org or follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

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VIDEO: John's Story "Flash Rage"

John Mew is one of the storytellers in the "Guts, Grit & The Grind" book series on men's mental health. In this video clip, he shares about his traumatic experience in the military impacted him, and how he has come to serve others as part of his healing journey. John's story is in Volume 3 of "Guts, Grit & The Grind," which will be published on April 6, 2021.

PODCAST (Resilience Unravelled) with Host Dr. Russell Thackeray and Guests John Marx and Sean Adam

https://qedod.com/guts-grit-and-the-grind/

The latest episode in our Resilience Unravelled series has now been released, Resilience Unravelled – Guts, Grit and the Grind.

In this episode, Dr. Russell Thackeray talks to two guests, John Marx from Denver Colorado and Sean Adams from Dover, New Hampshire. Both have contributed their stories to a new book called Guts, Grit and the Grind. Regular listeners may remember that Dr Thackeray interviewed two of the people involved in putting the book together, Frank King and Dr Sally Spencer Thomas, a few months ago. Along with a third author Sarah Gaer, they have edited a number of men’s personal stories to produce some significant ideas about resilience and how it works.

John is a retired law enforcement officer who served for for twenty-three years in both a municipal police department and a county sheriff ’s office. He worked patrol, investigations, community service, and was a hostage negotiator for 19 years. When he left the service he felt very burnt out and he actually considered suicide. His article is entitled ‘What is the cost to protect and serve’. This is used by a number of law enforcement agencies as a motto. John loved his career but feels that people don’t understand the toll it can take. Officers have to respond to horrific situations, crimes and hatred. In John’s case, his career took its toll but he was resilient and able to seek support.

Sean graduated from the Thompson School of Business at the University of New Hampshire with an Associate’s degree in Business Management in 2009. Since then he has worked in a variety of roles before becoming an inspirational speaker. He had a ‘pretty normal childhood’ but there were some mental health issues within his close family. When he was 21 he had his first depression. He didn’t understand what it was and why it had happened. After four rounds of deep, dark depression he started having suicidal thoughts and finally sought help. His Father warned him of the danger of using medication so he took the spiritual path.  Using things like Meditation and Reiki he started to move through his emotions and relearn how to think.

Dr Thackeray asked both guests whether they thought it was myth that men don’t know how to talk about their emotions. John, who is from the baby boomer generation grew up in the ‘man up and tough things out’ era. His career in the Police also involved considerable discipline. He feels that first responders, both men and women, have pressure put on them and that there is a need to act differently and become self more aware. Sean is from a different generation and is the youngest writer in the book. He feels that the sports world can also be very judgmental but now realises the need to make connections, not to get stuck in anything and to express yourself and move through things.

Dr Thackeray asked whether we have always had this conversation but did it in a different way. John feels that resilience should be thought of as comprehensive wellness. In the environment he served in, physical fitness is incredibly important. Many people feel it will solve all their problems but John thinks that if we don’t deal with the other components of our lives, intellectual or cognitive, emotional and spiritual components, we are losing parts of the foundation that makes us strong. Getting back in touch with these are what people do to heal and balance along with the need to raise awareness and do the hard work to be self aware.

During his earlier podcast, Frank King reflected that suicide is not talked about enough. John feels that we should we be looking out for people who seem to be OK. He lost a peer to suicide and cites the fact that worldwide it is a huge problem that gets overlooked in medical circumstances such as Covid. In the US potential law enforcement officers are vetted for the profession through screening and evaluation. There should be a low rate of suicide and depression but this isn’t the case. John feels it’s important to seek out resources and and learn about it before its needed whether for yourself or someone else.

Sean feels the effects of depression can be really trivialised. Someone like Robin Williams can seem outwardly happy and successful but inwardly there are problems. He feels that you can’t see what someone is thinking so you need to ask how they are really feeling. Sometimes people just need someone to acknowledge their existence. John thinks that if you really concerned about someone you just need to come out and ‘are you thinking about killing yourself’ so you can start really powerful conversation.

Both John and Sean had issues and faced challenges but both have come through to give a message of hope. John thinks we all have different levels of resilience but need to know that we don’t have to go it alone. The book talks about getting support and building a support system before you need it. Everyone needs someone, and someone will be there for you but you need to have the support in place. Sean feels that resilience is for everyone but everyone’s path is different. People need to think about what their goal is and where they want to be but they need to be patient. Everyone has ups and downs but there is hope. We just need to be open, ignore any stigma and allow people to help.

You can find out more at:

Guts, Grit & The Grind: A MENtal Mechanics MANual- Advanced Mechanics in Preventative Maintenance, or LinkedIn

You can find out more about John Marx from the Law Enforcement Survival Institute at www.CopsAlive.com His book is Armor Your Self™: How to Survive a Career in Law Enforcement.

You can contact Sean Adams through linkedin.com/in/sean-adam-054b036b

You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information about Guts, Grit and the Grind here.

Our previous podcast episodes and upcoming guest list are also available and there is an option to sign-up to receive our podcast episodes on release.

Our full blog archive is also available and you can sign-up to receive these on a weekly basis.

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PODCAST (Spotlight on the Community) Sally Spencer-Thomas and Sebastian Slovin with Host Drew Schlosberg

Guts, Grit & The Grind Editor/Author Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas and contributing writer and Co-Owner, Nature Unugged Sebastian Slovin were interviewed on the “Spotlight on the Community” Podcast” by Host Drew Schlosberg. Nov. 9,, 2020 https://cloudcast.us/drew-schlosbergs-spotlight-on-the-community/organization-advocates-for-suicide-prevention-systems-through-the-workplace-and-storytelling/

Show Notes:

“ Organization Advocates for Suicide Prevention Systems Through the Workplace and Storytelling”

Sally Spencer-Thomas, Psychologist and Impact Entrepreneur, is joined by her colleague, Sebastian Slovin, Mental Health Advocate and Co-Founder of Nature Unplugged, to discuss the work of United Suicide Survivors International to educate people about suicide prevention and mental health issues. Spencer-Thomas details how the workplace can serve as a support system for those with mental health struggles. Slovin and Sally-Spencer highlight the critical role storytelling plays in suicide prevention.

PODCAST (UpTalk Podcast) with Guy Giard

Guts, Grit & The Grind contributing writer Guy Giard was interviewed on the “UpTalk Podcast” by Host Sean Conohan. Nov.3, 2020 https://www.spreaker.com/user/mhnrnetwork/s5e29-guy-giard-guts-grit-the-grind

MEDIA RELEASE Second of Four Innovative Books on Men’s Mental Health Announces Launch August 16th

The Stories, Science and Strategy to Help Men Build and Maintain a Life Worth Living

DENVER (August 6, 2020) — Today United Suicide Survivors International (United Survivors) announces the publication of the second book in a series to help support men’s mental health, “Guts, Grit & The Grind: A MENtal Mechanics MANual - Advanced Mechanics in Preventative Maintenance” edited by Sally Spencer-Thomas Psy.D., Sarah Gaer, MA and Frank King and published by BDI Publishers. The book officially launches on August 16, 2020 with pre-orders available now on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

Increasingly, guys are embracing the fact that mental health is an important part of men’s health. This self-help book gives men the tools to increase the psychological hardiness they need to face tough times. Readers will be inspired by stories of resilience and transformation.

A blend of a “Chicken Soup for the Man’s Soul,” and a therapist’s workbook, Guts, Grit & The Grind is a collection of men’s stories of coping with trauma, addiction, depression and more. The format is like an automobile owner’s manual, using car metaphors many men can relate to in "preventative maintenance.”

“When life gets stressful, the first things to go are often those ‘non-urgent and important’ parts of our lives -- the things that keep us well,” said Sally Spencer-Thomas, psychologist and co- editor, “This book reminds guys to keep these action steps front and center.”

“Many books are written by remarkable people, but Guts, Grit, & The Grind is a collection of essays from regular guys who have remarkable wisdom they’ve gained through lived experiences or professional expertise,” says Peter Dudley, one of the storytellers in the series. ”I hope these books show that the unwritten rules of manhood aren’t actually rules, and that strength comes not from bearing the unbearable but from sharing the unsharable. The vulnerability in these essays makes mental health approachable and discussable. I hope it gives people in distress a light in the fog.”

“As a former NFL player, I know what happens when tough guys try to power their way through

emotional challenges. It just doesn’t work,” says Dwight Hollier, former linebacker for the Miami

Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts and current Senior Associate Athletics Director for the

University of North Carolina. Guts, Grit & The Grind gives men another pathway through their

pain.”

"The difference between hard times and unbearable times is often believing you are alone in

your pain," said Sarah Gaer, co-editor of Guts, Grit & The Grind. "By walking alongside our

courageous storytellers, readers feel the healing power of men sharing their experiences and

lessons learned."

“Being from the South, an area of the US where people take great joy in sharing oral history, as

entertainment, as well as education, I understand the power of storytelling, especially among

men,” reflects co-editor and comedian Frank King. “Guts, Grit & The Grind has tapped that

power, featuring stories of the struggles of men, by men, for men, emphasizing most

importantly, how these men are coping.”

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Sean Adam, Bart Andrews, Ph.D., Dr. Dennis Archambault,

Johnnie Calloway, Peter Dudley, Efrem Epstein, Brendan Fitzgerald, Glenn Freezeman, Guy

Giard, Mark Jon Gottschalk, Dwight Hollier, Gabe Howard, Einar Jensen, Paul Lavalee, John

Marx, Jerry Meddock Jr., Rick Strait, Joe Williams.

CHAPTERS of Guts, Grit & The Grind: A MENtal Mechanics MANual: Advanced Mechanics in Preventative Maintenance include: Chapter 1: Find Your “Classic Car Club” Community; Chapter 2: Family is Your Pit Crew; Chapter 3: Friends Refuel Us; Chapter 4: Tune Up with Total Wellness; Chapter 5: Making Meaning and Zen Motorcycle Maintenance.

ISBN-10: 1946637084; ISBN-13: 978-1946637086

To learn more, please visit www.GutsGritGrind.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, Pinterest, YouTube and LinkedIn. The book (or eBook) is available on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

Media Contact:
Susan J. Farese, SJFCommunications - sjfcommunications@gmail.com Phone: 408-398-5940

A portion of the proceeds benefits the 501(c) 3 nonprofit United Suicide Survivors International.

ABOUT UNITED SUICIDE SURVIVORS INTERNATIONAL (UNITED SURVIVORS)
United Suicide Survivors International is an independent international organization that serves as a home for people who have experienced suicide loss, suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts and feelings, and their friends and families — collectively known as people with lived experience with suicide. Our goal is to leverage their expertise for large scale change. For more information, visit www.unitesurvivors.org or follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

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