Why “You Good, Man?”
Working-age men in Rhode Island are dying by suicide at nearly twice the rate of the general population. Most don’t talk about their mental health—and many don't know how to ask for help.
"You Good, Man?" is a campaign designed to normalize conversations, empower friends, coworkers, and loved ones to reach out, and encourage men to accept help when it’s offered.
Highlights from our Conversations with Rhode Island Men
In our conversation with men in Rhode Island, we heard how silence and pressure to stay strong continue to shape men’s mental health conversations.
Nearly 80% of men in high-stress, male-dominated jobs feel pressure to hide their emotions, and over 85% rarely talk about mental health. Many rely on close friends and family rather than professional help, yet only 12% have ever used crisis support services like 988. One small question—“You good, man?”—can be a powerful way to break the silence and start a conversation.
You're Not Alone
We spoke to 75 men across Rhode Island about their mental health. They reminded us that even when it feels isolating, you're never truly alone, and checking in can make a difference. Here’s what they had to say:
“Opening up is the biggest challenge, the biggest issue.”
“I want to see an ad about a man who needs help, getting help.”
“It’s not the end of the world to take a day off.”
“Just noticing that someone’s not themselves—that’s powerful.”
“Oftentimes, especially for men, it can be very difficult just for people to notice when you're going through something.”
Support starts with a simple check-in
Notice the Signs
Trust your gut. If something feels off—check in.
Look for mood changes, missed work, or pulling away.
Reach Out
Even a short message can show you care.
Try: “You good, man?” or “Everything going okay lately?”
What to Say
You don’t need to fix it—just connect. Keep it simple and open.
Try: “It’s okay to talk,” or “I’m here for you, no pressure.”
What Not to Say
Certain phrases can accidentally shut someone down.
Skip phrases like: “Just tough it out,” “You’ll get over it,” or “Other people have it worse.”
Listen without Fixing
Silence is okay—just showing up matters.
• Let them talk.
• Validate what they share.
• Ask what they need.
Support the Next Step
Following up shows you truly care.
• Offer to look up mental health support together.
• Check in again: “Mind if I follow up with you tomorrow?”
Grab a printable version of these tips for worksites, newsletters, or your glovebox.
Need More Support?
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
- Rhode Island Resources: https://preventsuicideri.org/get-help/resources
- Text Home to 741741 (Crisis Text Line): Serves anyone in any type of crisis, providing access to free, 7/24 support
- Start a practice conversation: conversations.movember.com
Help Us Spread the Word
Downloadable Assets:
Sample Captions:
“Check in on the men around you. YouGoodMan.org”
“Support starts with a simple check-in.”