Teaching Our Boys How to Cry
Virtual via Zoom
Fee: $10 full members; $25 partial members and nonmembers
Continuing Education Hours: 2.0
Course Description
This presentation will address the rising public health crisis of male depression and suicide by examining the
cultural, structural, and developmental barriers that prevent boys from learning healthy emotional expression. With suicide now being the second leading cause of death for men under 45, this session will explore how societal norms around masculinity and stoicism leave boys less equipped to cope with stress, rejection, and mental health challenges. Drawing on research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), and the Journal of Men’s Health, this presentation will highlight how emotional suppression is both socially reinforced and internally damaging for many boys and men.
Attendees will learn about the macro-level policy gaps, including underdiagnosis and the lack of gender-sensitive care models, as well as the micro-level consequences of limited emotional literacy education. Through evidence-based strategies and real-world case illustrations, the session will outline practical tools for clinicians, educators, and suicide-prevention professionals to support boys in developing emotional resilience. The presentation will also offer actionable public health policy recommendations, such as integrating emotional education in schools and expanding male-centered mental health initiatives. Ultimately, this session aims to reframe emotional expression as a strength for boys and young men, equipping participants to drive meaningful change in both clinical practice and broader community systems.
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze the cultural, developmental, and societal factors that contribute to emotional
suppression in boys and men, and evaluate their relationship to increased risk for
depression and suicide - Identify and demonstrate evidence-based clinical and educational strategies that
promote emotional literacy, resilience, and healthy emotional expression in boys
across therapeutic and school settings - Assess and formulate policy-level and systemic recommendations that integrate
emotional education into public health, school-based, and mental health programs to
better support male mental health
About the Trainer
Elan Javanfard, LMFT
Elan Javanfard, M.A., LMFT (#87054), is a licensed psychotherapist, professor, author, and thought leader in the fields of mental health, mindfulness, and crisis care. He currently serves as Senior Director at Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, where he focuses on behavioral health redesign and systems-level transformation to improve care for individuals experiencing mental illness, suicidal ideation, and emotional distress.Professor at both Pepperdine University and Touro University, where he lectures on a wide range of topics including evidence-based clinical practices, mindfulness, and suicide prevention. In addition to his academic and clinical work, he is a national speaker and educator, regularly presenting to mental health professionals, faith-based communities, and leadership groups.