Man Up to Cancer to men facing cancer

This poster presents a comprehensive mental healthinitiative addressing the critical gap in psychological support for men withcancer, who often face cultural stigma around expressing vulnerability andseeking mental health care. Through Man Up to Cancer, we have developedpeer-led support programs that create safe, judgment-free spaces where men canopenly discuss anxiety, depression, grief, identity shifts, body imageconcerns, and the emotional burden of diagnosis and treatment. The poster willoutline our multi-pronged approach: facilitated support groups that provideongoing structured peer connection, in-person meetups that foster localcommunity building and reduce isolation, and an annual retreat that brings mentogether from across regions to deepen relationships, share experiences, andbuild a sustained support network. We will present program participation data,participant testimonials on impact, and lessons learned about what language,formats, and facilitator characteristics most effectively engage men in mentalhealth conversations. Particular emphasis will be placed on addressing barriersspecific to men of color, who face compounded stigma at the intersection ofmasculinity norms and cultural attitudes toward mental health. The poster demonstrateshow community-based advocacy organizations can fill critical gaps inpsychosocial oncology services and provides a replicable model for reducingmental health disparities in cancer care.