Men’s Emotional Health: Towards Support and Well-Being

The conference “Men’s Emotional Health: Towards Support and Well-Being” aims to address the crucial topic of men’s emotional health and the need to break down stigmas associated with it, fostering safe spaces for men to openly discuss their problems without fear of judgment. Experts, researchers, policymakers, and representatives of men’s organizations from various backgrounds will gather to exchange examples of good practices and explore effective strategies to respond to men’s emotional needs.

The conference is organized jointly by the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania and the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania, as part of the project “Strengthening Services of Men’s Crisis Centres/Men’s Organizations and Competencies of their Staff in Baltic Countries.”

Event Details:

Date: 8^th June 2023

Time: 10.00-17.00 EEST

Venue: European Institute for Gender Equality, Gedimino Ave 16, Vilnius, Lithuania

Livestream:

In English: https://youtube.com/live/hly9FZuatVc?feature=share

In Lithuanian: https://www.facebook.com/events/262307339632523

Registration: Registration to the event ,,Men’s Emotional Health: Towards Support and Well-being” (office.com)

Working Languages: English with simultaneous interpreting into Lithuanian

PROGRAMME

9.30 – 10.00 Registration and welcome coffee

10.00 – 10.30 Welcome speeches:

• Justina Jakštienė, Vice-Minister of Social Security and Labour
• Karen Ellemann, Secretary-General of the Nordic Council of Ministers
• Dominyka Umbrasaitė, British Council

10.30 – 11.00 Keynote presentation by Alexandrina Satnoianu, European Institute for Gender Equality

11.00 – 12.30 Panel discussion: Policies at the national and local level regarding services to men

Moderator: psychotherapist Dainius Jakučionis

Panellists:

• Justina Jakštienė, Vice-Minister, the Ministry of the Social Security and Labour, Lithuania
• Alexander Andersson, Kvinfo, Denmark
• Ieva Juhnevica, Ministry of Welfare, Latvia
• Bo Helsing, Young Men’s clinic, Sweden
• Christian Veske, Gender Equality and Equal Treatment Commissioner, Estonia

12.30 – 13.15 Lunch break

13.15 – 14.15 Keynote presentation: Men’s mental health: why we need a fresh approach

Dr. John Barry, Psychologist and professional researcher.  He is a leading expert in the areas of male psychology including men’s mental health, an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, Honorary Lecturer in Psychology at University College London, UK

14.15 – 15.45 Panel discussion: What are the gaps in the current approach to men’s mental health?

Questions for discussion:

• Gaps in mental health policy for men
• Unique mental health struggles faced by men
• Unique challenges men face in accessing mental health support
• What are gender-sensitive and inclusive mental health services

Moderator: psychotherapist Dainius Jakučionis

Panellists:

• D John Barry
• Joonas Kekkonen, Miessakit ry, Finland
• Ole Johan Rosenstrøm, MannsForum, Norway
• Ulf Calvert, Manscentrum, Sweden
• Gatis Smidrovskis, Tevi, Latvia
• Antanas Grižas, Men’s Tribes, Lithuania

15.45 – 16.00 Concluding remarks by Marianne Berger Marjanovic, Senior Adviser Gender Equality and LGBTI, Nordic Council of Ministers

16.00 – 17.00 Networking