Activism

Frank Discussion on Men and Boys’ Mental Health

The Men and Boys Action Team is comprised of those who self-identify as male across the lifespan for discussion of mental health awareness and education. The team is led by William Spence Casey, a licensed clinical social worker with the Marin County Veterans Services Office, and Otis Bruce Jr., Marin County Assistant District Attorney.

Published

4 years ago

May 13, 2022

Oakland Post

Community in-person event titled ‘Redefining Strength’ on May 19

Courtesy of Marin County

Across their life spans, men and boys shy away from seeking mental health support particularly in times of distress, and that can be a key risk factor of suicide and other behavioral health issues.

To raise awareness, the Marin County Suicide Prevention Collaborative’s Men and Boys Action Team and the County of Marin’s Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) are hosting an in-person session called “Redefining Strength: A Conversation About Men and Boys’ Mental Health” at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at the Marin County Civic Center in San Rafael. Online registration is open and required for attendance. The event is being held in partnership with the grassroots group RxSafe Marin, the Marin County District Attorney’s Office, and the Marin County Probation Department.

During the event, the collaborating partners will roll out their Redefining Strength campaign and hear from expert panelists before opening the community conversation about men and boys’ mental health and well-being and how to ask for help.

Through both its event and campaign, the Men and Boys Action Team is taking steps to inspire new thinking and actions among men and boys who are not known to seek help around mental health issues, suicidality, substance use, or addiction. After the event, the organizers will continue to listen and learn from men and boys and share the findings.

Casey, in his 18th year assisting military veterans, said his work fits well with his love of military history, his family of veterans, and his enjoyment of helping people.

“I am very proud to be a co-leader with the Men and Boys Action Team for the collaborative,” Casey said. “Our primary goal is to normalize a discussion around suicide prevention and mental illness. I’ve concluded from my life experience and profession that mental illness is part thief and part silent killer. When untreated and unidentified, it robs us of our time, joy, and happiness and, in a sense, our lives.”

Bruce leads the DA’s Office’s social justice and equity programs and serves as the community liaison and policy coordinator. A youth mentor and trial prosecutor in Marin for more than 30 years, he is dedicated to ensuring that youth and adults receive support and services for psychologically healthy, productive, and happy lives.

“Since the COVID-19 pandemic increased our community’s mental health issues, it is now important to encourage frank, open, and candid conversations around mental health, recovery, and wellness among men, young men, and boys who may be struggling,” Bruce said.

Among the team’s youth members is Deyne Jurie, a Dominican University student who became an intern and joined the team in the fall of 2021.

“It’s very interesting to be on a team with older men who have lived through or experienced mental health,” Jurie said. “As a college student, I represent the transitional stage from college to adult life for our team. Once the campaign launches, I plan to post it on my social media to reach my age group.”

Twice a month, the Suicide Prevention Collaborative’s Men and Boys Team hosts community meetings with presentations and discussions on topics about what it means to ask for help, how to help others, and ways to cope using healthy and positive strategies.

Dave Cort, the Executive Director of the San Geronimo Valley Community Center, regularly attends the monthly meetings and is a member of the Men and Boys Team.

“This work really captured my interest, especially because two of my close friends lost their sons to overdose,” Cort said. “The structure of the team and its focus on both men and boys with diverse lived experiences and a broad age range was also appealing. I have had an extremely great experience with the team because I can hear from high school and college guys as well as men of all colors.”

BHRS Director Dr. Jei Africa said the event is an opportunity to directly address the stigma of men and boys’ mental health. “What the Men and Boys Action Team is showing us is that we can be each other’s keeper and look out for one another when we’re in pain or struggling,” Africa said.

Locally, the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) oversees government-funded behavioral health and recovery services. If you or someone you know is in mental health distress, find resources on https://prevention.marinbhrs.org/or contact:

Marin Suicide Prevention Hotline: (415) 499-1100

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1 (800) 273-8255 y en Español: 1 (888) 628-9454

The Trevor Lifeline: 1 (866) 488-7386

Friendship Line (for 60 and older): 1 (800) 971-0016

Crisis Text Line: Text MARIN to 741741

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Activism

OP-ED: AB 1349 Puts Corporate Power Over Community

Since Ticketmaster and Live Nation merged in 2010, ticket prices have jumped more than 150 percent. Activities that once fit a family’s budget now take significant disposable income that most working families simply don’t have. The problem is compounded by a system that has tilted access toward the wealthy and white-collar workers. If you have a fancy credit card, you get “presale access,” and if you work in an office instead of a warehouse, you might be able to wait in an online queue to buy a ticket. Access now means privilege.

Published

6 days ago

January 9, 2026

Oakland Post

Bishop Joseph Simmons, Senior Pastor, Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, Oakland

By Bishop Joseph Simmons, Senior Pastor, Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, Oakland

As a pastor, I believe in the power that a sense of community can have on improving people’s lives. Live events are one of the few places where people from different backgrounds and ages can share the same space and experience – where construction workers sit next to lawyers at a concert, and teenagers enjoy a basketball game with their grandparents. Yet, over the past decade, I’ve witnessed these experiences – the concerts, games, and cultural events where we gather – become increasingly unaffordable, and it is a shame.

These moments of connection matter as they form part of the fabric that holds communities together. But that fabric is fraying because of Ticketmaster/Live Nation’s unchecked control over access to live events. Unfortunately, AB 1349 would only further entrench their corporate power over our spaces.

Power over live events is concentrated in a single corporate entity, and this regime operates without transparency or accountability – much like a dictator. Ticketmaster controls 80 percent of first-sale tickets and nearly a third of resale tickets, but they still want more. More power, more control for Ticketmaster means higher prices and less access for consumers. It’s the agenda they are pushing nationally, with the help of former Trump political operatives, who are quietly trying to undo the antitrust lawsuit launched against Ticketmaster/Live Nation under President Biden’s DOJ.

That’s why I’m deeply concerned about AB 1349 in its current form. Rather than reining in Ticketmaster’s power, the bill risks strengthening it, aligning with Trump. AB 1349 gives Ticketmaster the ability to control a consumer’s ticket forever by granting Ticketmaster’s regime new powers in state law to prevent consumers from reselling or giving away their tickets. It also creates new pathways for Ticketmaster to discriminate and retaliate against consumers who choose to shop around for the best service and fees on resale platforms that aren’t yet controlled by Ticketmaster. These provisions are anti-consumer and anti-democratic.

California has an opportunity to stand with consumers, to demand transparency, and to restore genuine competition in this industry. But that requires legislation developed with input from the community and faith leaders, not proposals backed by the very company causing the harm.

Will our laws reflect fairness, inclusion, and accountability? Or will we let corporate interests tighten their grip on spaces that should belong to everyone? I, for one, support the former and encourage the California Legislature to reject AB 1349 outright or amend it to remove any provisions that expand Ticketmaster’s control. I also urge community members to contact their representatives and advocate for accessible, inclusive live events for all Californians. Let’s work together to ensure these gathering spaces remain open and welcoming to everyone, regardless of income or background.

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Oakland Post: Week of December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

Published

2 weeks ago

January 2, 2026

Oakland Post

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Big God Ministry Gives Away Toys in Marin City

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grow up.

Published

3 weeks ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

From top left: Pastor David Hall asking the children what they want to be when they grow up. Worship team Jake Monaghan, Ruby Friedman, and Keri Carpenter. Children lining up to receive their presents. Photos by Godfrey Lee.

By Godfrey Lee

Big God Ministries, pastored by David Hall, gave toys to the children in Marin City on Monday, Dec. 15, on the lawn near the corner of Drake Avenue and Donahue Street.

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Around 75 parents and children were there to receive the presents, which consisted mainly of Gideon Bibles, Cat in the Hat pillows, Barbie dolls, Tonka trucks, and Lego building sets.

A half dozen volunteers from the Big God Ministry, including Donnie Roary, helped to set up the tables for the toy giveaway. The worship music was sung by Ruby Friedman, Keri Carpenter, and Jake Monaghan, who also played the accordion.

Big God Ministries meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA Their phone number is (415) 797-2567.