HeadsUpGuys is a research-based public education initiative of The University of British Columbia (UBC)’s Psychotherapy Program, operating under the leadership of Dr. John Ogrodniczuk, in the Department of Psychiatry.

  • Our charitable purpose is to advance and disseminate knowledge in the field of men’s mental health through research, evidence-based resources, and community education.
  • Housed within UBC’s broader research infrastructure, HeadsUpGuys contributes to the improvement of mental health outcomes by translating academic research into accessible tools and information for public benefit.
  • Our team of clinicians, researchers, and mental health advocates bring together their expertise and personal experiences to provide you with this unique resource. Dr. Ogrodniczuk, our founder, is a Professor of Psychiatry and the Director of the Psychotherapy Program at UBC.

HeadsUpGuys is a men’s mental health resource offering practical self-care tips, screening tools, self-guided courses, inspirational recovery stories, an international Therapist Directory, along with guidance on how to support the men in our lives.

  • HeadsUpGuys’ content is derived from evidence-based research and includes both clinician and patient perspectives to ensure the accuracy and relatability of our content. 

HeadsUpGuys is located at UBC’s Vancouver Campus, on the traditional territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people. HeadsUpGuys is a global resource, with over 5,000,000 visits from countries around the world.

Operational costs of HeadsUpGuys are funded exclusively through the generosity of private donations.

Our Vision

  • We envision a world where men make mental health a priority, and suicide is no longer a top 5 cause of death for men of any age.

Our Mission

  • To support men to improve their mental health, reduce their risk of suicide, and inspire them to live healthier lives.

Our Mandate

  • To improve mental health literacy among men, reduce stigma, arm men (and their friends, families, and communities) with strategies for effective self-management, and support their uptake of mental health services.

Our Values

  • HeadsUpGuys supports men’s mental health in a positive, inclusive, and mutually supportive way with and for people of all backgrounds, regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation. 
  • HeadsUpGuys does not support discrimination of any form, is not involved in Men’s Rights Activism, and does not support misogyny.

HeadsUpGuys is a leading example of how novel work conducted at UBC advances education and improves knowledge by translating research into practical tools that help people understand, manage, and improve their mental health.

Our Team

John with UBC shirt

Dr. John Ogrodniczuk,
Founder of HeadsUpGuys

Professor of Psychiatry at UBC and Director of the UBC Psychotherapy Program

 

John with UBC shirt

Dr. John Ogrodniczuk,
Founder of HeadsUpGuys

Professor of Psychiatry at UBC and Director of the UBC Psychotherapy Program

Dr. Ogrodniczuk is a Professor of Psychiatry at UBC and Director of the UBC Psychotherapy Program. In his role as Director, he oversees the operations of North America’s 2nd largest medically based psychotherapy training program. His research has been supported by various provincial and national funding bodies, and has led to more than 250 scientific publications.

In addition to his research, he is involved with teaching medical students and psychiatry residents, serves in various capacities with a number of scientific and clinical journals, and consults with mental health clinics about service provision and evaluation.

Dr. Ogrodniczuk is available for consultation to help men develop strategies for healthy living and recovery through his life consulting practice, Optimum Consulting.

View articles written by John.

Portrait of Josh

Joshua R Beharry,
Project Manager

B.Sc. majoring in Computer Science, UBC

 

Portrait of Josh

Joshua R Beharry,
Project Manager

B.Sc. majoring in Computer Science, UBC

Since recovering from experiences with depression in 2010, Josh has become a passionate advocate for mental health. Josh coordinates HeadsUpGuys communications and website. For more information about his recovery see his post “I never wanted to die, I only wanted to end my pain.”

View articles written by Josh.

Joel Robison

Joel Robison,
Social Media Coordinator and Graphic Designer

Conceptual Artist, Photographer, and Social Media Specialist

 

Joel Robison

Joel Robison,
Social Media Coordinator and Graphic Designer

Conceptual Artist, Photographer, and Social Media Specialist

Joel Robison is a Canadian photographer and mental health advocate. He has worked with international brands as well as non-profit organizations, creating work that is both thoughtful and imaginative. His close personal connections to men’s mental health and suicide have motivated him to take on a more active role in ending the stigma around the conversation about mental health.

Ed Smith

Ed Smith,
Self-Check Suite Coordinator

B.Sc., B.A. (hons), M.A. in Language and Literature, UBC

 

Ed Smith

Ed Smith,
Self-Check Suite Coordinator

B.Sc., B.A. (hons), M.A. in Language and Literature, UBC

Ed has a background in social science, languages, and literature, and has worked for several non-profits and community groups in Australia. He completed his master’s thesis on the framing of depression in contemporary media, and is keenly interested in finding ways to break down barriers of communication encountered by those who struggle to convey how they are feeling.

Photo of Joe in front of "British Genius Site" sign

Joe Rachert,
Community Engagement & Partnerships

Marketing, Communications, and Men’s Health Professional

 

Photo of Joe in front of "British Genius Site" sign

Joe Rachert,
Community Engagement & Partnerships

Marketing, Communications, and Men’s Health Professional

When I reflect on my career, a few common threads run through every role I’ve held—one of the strongest being my need to contribute. I strive to ensure that the work I do creates a meaningful benefit for the people and organizations I engage with. This drive has led me to spend considerable time in the non-profit sector, and even in the for-profit sector, I’ve focused on using philanthropy to advance shared goals.

My journey and new passion into men’s health began a decade ago when I joined the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation (CMHF) as their Program Manager. Men’s health, to use an analogy, is like a three-legged stool: one leg is knowledge, the second is behavior, and the third is stigma (mental health). At CMHF, I was the “connect-the-dots guy,” and one of those dots was HeadsUpGuys—a critical initiative addressing stigma, depression, and suicide prevention for men.

Now, as I enter my second decade in the men’s health space, I’m honored to continue this work as the Community Engagement & Partnerships Lead at HeadsUpGuys. I’m dedicated to fostering meaningful collaborations and securing funding opportunities to expand our reach and impact. By connecting the “men’s health dots” across Canada and the world, I’m committed to ensuring more men get the support they need to take charge of their mental well-being.

Photo of Colin

Colin Stasuik,
Directory Coordinator and Graphic Design

B.Sc. majoring in Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University

 

Photo of Colin

Colin Stasuik,
Directory Coordinator and Graphic Design

B.Sc. majoring in Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University

Motivated by a long personal history of depression and navigating the current mental health landscape, Colin is deeply interested in mental health advocacy and awareness in an effort to reduce stigma around getting help. He strives to make discussing mental health and therapy a common part of everyday life.

View articles written by Colin.

Our Volunteers

Brad at Community Event

Brad Newell,
Awareness Champion

King of Floors and King’s Link By The Sea Golf Club, Owner
Brad at Community Event

Brad Newell,
Awareness Champion

King of Floors and King’s Link By The Sea Golf Club, Owner

Brad is a passionate and long time supporter of HeadsUpGuys. Both his and his family’s support have been instrumental in keeping HeadsUpGuys going. Brad is the owner of King of Floors and King’s Links, By The Sea Golf Course.

Portrait of Darius outside

Darius Eghdami,
Community Advisor

Electronic Arts, Business Development

 

Portrait of Darius outside

Darius Eghdami,
Community Advisor

Electronic Arts, Business Development

Darius is a long time supporter of HeadsUpGuys, since we first connected at a Vancouver 100 Men Who Give a Damn event in 2018. Most recently, Raymond and Darius spearheaded the Sip Around the World II Fundraiser.

Headshot of Raymond

Raymond Dich,
Community Advisor

Real Estate Advisor

 

Headshot of Raymond

Raymond Dich,
Community Advisor

Real Estate Advisor

Raymond is a passionate advocate for men’s mental health. Most recently, Raymond and Darius spearheaded the Sip Around the World II Fundraiser.

chadelia taking a selfie

chadelia,
Brews and Dudes Ambassador

Mental Health Worker at the Recovery Café run by The Kettle Society

 

chadelia taking a selfie

chadelia,
Brews and Dudes Ambassador

Mental Health Worker at the Recovery Café run by The Kettle Society

Chadelia is The Brews and Dudes Ambassador for HeadsUpGuys and is passionate about men’s emotional and mental health. He is also the co-organizer of the annual HeadsUpGuys Trivia Night, a fun event to bring communities together in support of HeadsUpGuys and men’s mental health.

HeadsUpGuys Alumni

A special thanks to the following former staff and individuals for their contributions to the development of HeadsUpGuys.

  • Akanksha Somani – B.A. majoring in Psychology, UBC | Articles by Akanksha
  • Audrey Fox – B.A. majoring in Psychology, UBC | Articles by Audrey
  • Quinn Storey B.A. majoring in Psychology, UBC | Articles by Quinn
  • Chloe Sernasie – B.A. majoring in Psychology, UBC | Articles by Chloe
  • Caroline Sutton – B.Sc. majoring in Integrated Sciences, UBC | Articles by Caroline
  • Aiden Simard – Student, B.Sc. Microbiology and Immunology, UBC | Articles by Aiden
  • Mark Goodwin – Metadata Coordinator, UBC Library, University of British Columbia
  • Dr. John Oliffe – Professor, School of Nursing, University of British Columbia
  • Dr. George Hadjipavlou – Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia
  • DR. Joy Johnson – President, Simon Fraser University
  • DR. Joan Bottorff – Professor and Chair in Health Promotion and Cancer Prevention, UBC Okanagan