HeadsUpGuys – an online platform tailored to supporting men’s mental health – has now recorded over 500,000 completions of its PHQ‑9 depression screening tool, marking a milestone in its mission to make mental health awareness more accessible for men. Built initially as a depression self-check in 2015, the platform has evolved to include tools addressing stress, loneliness, anger, relationship issues, and other challenges men often face
Originally launched by Dr. John Ogrodniczuk at the University of British Columbia, HeadsUpGuys was created to fill a gap in men’s mental health resources by offering anonymous, research-based support for depression and suicide prevention. It initially introduced the Self‑Check Suite based on the validated PHQ‑9 questionnaire, enabling men to assess their mental health in privacy and with tailored feedback
By 2025, the platform had surpassed 5 million website visits, with more than 500,000 instances of the PHQ‑9 tool being completed. In addition, the expanded screening suite launched in 2024 includes tools for stress, loneliness, financial strain, workplace distress, and lack of purpose—each offering personalized guidance.
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User testimonials and impact data highlight the platform’s influence. In earlier surveys, 74% of users reported improved recognition of depressive symptoms, 64% felt less isolated by suicidal thoughts, and 72% experienced increased hope
Beyond screenings, HeadsUpGuys offers self-guided courses introduced in 2023 ranging from cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, managing anger and relationships, to navigating negative thoughts. By 2025, over 700 course completions had been recorded. It also features more than 100 recovery stories from men of diverse backgrounds, promoting peer support and reducing stigma. An international Therapist Directory launched in 2021 now lists more than 800 mental health professionals across Canada, the US, UK, Australia, and Ireland, along with resources for navigating therapy. Informative articles offer self-care tips, advice on supporting others, relationship coping, and recognizing depression signs in loved ones
Men frequently face societal pressure to “man up” and conceal emotional struggle. Research and HeadsUpGuys outreach confront this directly by emphasizing that seeking help is a strength, not a weakness. High suicide rates among men underscore this point—men account for approximately 75%–80% of suicide deaths, yet are less likely to seek help. HeadsUpGuys aims to dismantle barriers of stigma by promoting awareness, testimonials, and resources tailored to men’s experiences
The platform contributes to academic research as well. Over 80 peer-reviewed studies have involved data from HeadsUpGuys, exploring topics like loneliness, masculinity norms, workplace mental health, and treatment outcomes. Recent 2025 findings examined how “feeling understood” influences the loneliness‑depression pathway in men
HeadsUpGuys has leveraged public campaigns and fundraising events to raise awareness and support its mission. The “Step Up For Him” initiative in June 2025 encouraged people worldwide to walk, run, bike, or hike in solidarity for men’s mental health. Events like the “40 Hours of 40K” tabletop gaming marathon in Edmonton and “Sip Around the World” whiskey tastings have raised substantial funding. Since 2023, community-driven efforts have generated over CAD 341,500 in donations
The milestone of half a million PHQ‑9 screenings signals that men worldwide are increasingly turning to online tools in private and anonymous ways to assess and begin addressing their mental health needs. Coupled with supportive coursework and peer-shared recovery stories, HeadsUpGuys is helping to change norms around men’s emotional wellness
The platform’s data-backed features have influenced mental health service design, with universities and clinics using its findings to guide male‑focused programming. Compared with other initiatives such as “Man Therapy” in the US, HeadsUpGuys distinguishes itself through direct screening tools, evidence‑based courses, real‑life storytelling, and therapist linkage
With ongoing support, HeadsUpGuys aims to expand its screening suite to address emerging challenges such as social media stress and isolation. It plans to grow its course offerings and therapy directory listings while translating research findings into accessible tools. The team also intends to amplify lived-experience storytelling to foster peer-based engagement and normalize help-seeking
As of mid‑2025, the platform continues to attract over 10,000 users per week, aspiring to support even more men with screening, education, community, and care
The milestone of 500,000 PHQ‑9 completions underscores HeadsUpGuys’ growing role in bridging the men’s mental health gap. By combining screening, self‑guided CBT, community storytelling, and therapist access, the platform addresses both practical and emotional barriers to seeking help. As it continues scaling backed by academic research and community support, HeadsUpGuys represents a model for how evidence‑based digital interventions can reach men in deeply personal and destigmatized ways
By providing tools tailored specifically for men’s experiences, HeadsUpGuys is not only supporting individual users—it is playing a meaningful role in shifting cultural norms, encouraging help‑seeking, and ultimately saving lives