For men in crisis, VCU offers Feminism 101
Virginia Commonwealth counseling offers its men lessons on gender ideology and the patriarchy
Like most schools, Virginia Commonwealth University promotes abundant mental health and wellness resources for its students.
VCU’s support services for men, however, resemble a women’s studies course more than behavioral health care. It’s a case study in how men’s health is routinely dismissed—and a glimpse into why men’s college enrollment has trailed women’s by double digits for four decades.
VCU counseling and identities
On its counseling services website is a Student Resources page listing 16 “identities” that link to resources for various groups. These include students who are veterans, Asian, first-generation, neurodivergent, parents, etc.
Each resource page lists services for struggling students who identify with that label. For example, under the Black and African American tab, VCU students will find counseling services specifically tailored to Black clients. Disabled students will find links to the school’s accessibility office and the campus Association of Students with Disabilities and Chronic Conditions Facebook group.
Helpful, practical tools for students in need.
For men struggling with mental health, relationships, or general wellbeing?
Those visiting the Men and Masculinities page get a long and winding explanation of gender ideology, traditional expectations of men, and the evils of patriarchy.
Except the pandering isn’t even aimed solely at men. Every mention of the page’s target audience reads “man or masculine-identified.” There’s also a very long paragraph devoted to explaining why this distinction matters.
Never mind that the 16-item list of identity-specific resources already includes guides for both Gender Identity and Sexual Identity. Those two guides, plus the Men and Masculinities page, all serve non-binary and trans students.
What actual services are suggested to men?
Any guys who make their way to the bottom of the VCU Men and Masculinities resource guide will find:
Tips on being a better feminist
Ways to get involved with the Women’s Studies Department
A community (not university affiliated) support group for “male-identifying” domestic violence survivors (Currently in danger? Google is more helpful than your $35,000/year university).
VCU claims its programs are identity-neutral
I reached out to VCU for an interview, but only received the following email from Brian McNeill, director of public relations for VCU’s Monroe Park Campus:
“The objective of this page is to provide students with information that may be helpful as they consider their own identities and to assist them in identifying common concerns and issues that others seek assistance in exploring.”
I asked about male-only initiatives or programs at the school, which McNeill replied that he is not aware of any such programs.
“VCU programs, activities and services are open without regard to any characteristic or identity protected by law. Some programs may have a focus on certain subject matter, but participation is not limited based on identity.”
This is misleading. VCU has scores of programs, organizations and services that are very specific to identities that are protected by law. While technically open to all students, its programs for Middle Eastern and North African students includes the Arab Student Association, Persian Club, Muslim Student Association and The Cultural Experience of Middle Eastern and South Asian Women. The Gender Identity and Sexual Identity pages list more than two dozen university-sponsored programs and resources, as well as a number of community services:
These are trying times for universities aiming to serve diverse students while navigating White House dismantling of DEI, enforcement of Title IX, and supreme court rulings on race, gender and sexuality. While VCU joins U.S. universities challenged by these swirling forces, it appears to put forth no serious effort to serve its men.
Why this matters
I am interested in this for several reasons. One, if we care about humans, we must care about men and boys. If we aim to tailor wellness services to peoples’ identities, men deserve to be recognized as a group with unique needs deserving of discrete services.
When a large state university with a robust psychology school explicitly aims to be a resource for men’s mental health but can only offer up a barf on gender ideology and lectures on being a better feminist, we have failed half the population.
Virginia Commonwealth University enrolls 29,000 students at its campus in Richmond, Va., where I live with my family. This is personal to me: VCU looms large in my community, and mostly in positive ways. I have friends who are professors and administrators there, friends who are alumni, my family enjoys season tickets to its men’s basketball team and the arts community it fosters, and there’s a decent chance one of my two teenagers will attend.
I’m rooting for VCU to succeed—but success requires serving all its students. That includes boys and men.
And schools, from daycare through doctoral programs, are failing boys and men.
Not surprisingly, VCU’s students are mostly women, and its psychology department is embarrassingly short on men.
VCU’s demographics:
Student population: 37% male
Psychology Masters and PhD candidates: 0% male, according to 2022 data
2 of the 9 university’s counselors, advocates and support recovery staff are male. Of the 12 trainees, 2 are male, according to my visit to its website. 78% of therapists nationwide are women.
In Virginia, consistent with national trends:
Suicides: 77% men
Homeless: 63% men
Alcohol related deaths: 69% males
Men are 2X more likely than women to experience substance abuse
In summary: Men at VCU are under-represented, as they are at nearly every co-ed university and have been for more than 40 years.
VCU’s counseling resources only hint at ways schools far and wide can improve to attract, retain, graduate and further serve their men, closing gender gaps.
Studies on college men and mental health
Below are peer-reviewed studies about effective mental health strategies for university men. I could not find any studies that showed that better understanding of feminism, patriarchy or gender ideology helped depressed or anxious male university students.
“Engaging male students with mental health support: a qualitative study of service providers’ and male students’ perspectives.” BMC Public Health. 2020.
“Gender effects on mental health symptoms and treatment in college students.” Journal of American College Health. 2020.
“Improving Mental Health Help-Seeking Among Male University Students: A Systematic Review.” Frontiers in Psychology / PMC. 2022.
“Mental health in college-aged men.” Mental Health in College Men Report (Zephyr CMS). 2021.
“Men’s mental health – Conceptualization, effects, and coping.” Journal of Behavioral Health & Services Research. 2024.
“Men’s mental health and interventions tailored to masculinity.” Journal of Men’s Health. 2023.
“Mental health education, awareness and stigma regarding mental illness among college students.” International Journal of Mental Health Promotion. 2022.
Mental health resource guide for college men
I couldn’t find a strong model of a university resource page for men and mental health. If you can suggest some, send me a note!
However, ChatGPT created this template in 90 seconds. VCU, feel free to copy-paste and use as your own:
You’re Not Alone. Help Is Here.
College life can be exciting — and challenging. Many men struggle with stress, relationships, academics, or identity but hesitate to reach out. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, or just need someone to talk to, our campus and community partners are here to support you.
Immediate Help
Emergency: If you or someone you know is in danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
24/7 Crisis Support:
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (confidential, free, available 24/7)
Campus Police / Public Safety: [Insert campus number]
University Counseling Crisis Line: [Insert after-hours number]
On-Campus Counseling & Support
Counseling Center — [Insert link]
Individual, group, and telehealth counseling with licensed professionals. Appointments and same-day urgent sessions available.Men’s Support Group — [Insert link or contact info]
A confidential, peer-led space for male students to discuss relationships, stress, identity, and expectations.Workshops & Wellness Programs — [Insert link]
Topics include stress management, mindfulness, academic burnout, and healthy masculinity.
Intimate Partner Violence & Relationship Safety
Men can also experience emotional, physical, or sexual abuse in relationships — and help is available. Whether you’re unsure about your situation or need immediate support, confidential resources can guide you.
Campus Support
Title IX Office: [Insert link/contact]
Provides confidential guidance and connects you with on- and off-campus support options, regardless of gender.Campus Advocacy and Prevention Center: [Insert link/contact]
Offers safety planning, counseling, and advocacy for all survivors of intimate partner violence or sexual assault.Men’s Peer Advocates / Healthy Relationships Program: [Insert link/contact]
Student initiative focused on promoting healthy masculinity and consent education.
National & Community Hotlines
National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-7233, text “START” to 88788, or visit thehotline.org
Confidential 24/7 support for anyone affected by domestic or dating violence.1in6: https://1in6.org
Offers resources and an anonymous chat line for men who have experienced sexual assault or abuse.
Love Is Respect: https://www.loveisrespect.org — Call 1-866-331-9474, text “LOVEIS” to 22522
Confidential help for anyone in an unhealthy or abusive dating relationship.RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): https://hotline.rainn.org — 24/7 chat and phone support for sexual assault survivors.
If You’re Worried About a Friend
Express concern privately and listen without judgment.
Encourage professional help — connect them with campus resources.
If someone is in danger, call 911 or campus security.
Peer and Community Resources
Active Minds (Student Chapter): [Insert link]
Student-led mental health advocacy and education.ManKind Project / Men’s Circles: [Insert local link]
Community-based groups that provide emotional support and mentorship.Brother2Brother / Men of Color Network: [Insert link]
Focused on mental health, belonging, and academic success among male students of color.Campus clubs and activities: [Insert link]
University and faith organizations: [Insert link]
Specialized Services
Athletes: [Insert athletic department resource link]
Sports psychologists and performance counselors for varsity and club athletes.Veterans: [Insert VA or campus veteran services link]
Support for transitioning to campus life, PTSD resources, and peer mentoring.LGBTQ+ Students: [Insert LGBTQ+ center link]
Affirming counseling and community support for men of all identities.
Online & National Mental Health Resources
Jed Foundation: https://jedfoundation.org — Tools for emotional health and suicide prevention among college students.
Man Therapy: https://mantherapy.org — Humor-based, evidence-backed site for men’s mental health.
HeadsUpGuys: https://headsupguys.org — Practical self-care tools and stories from men who’ve overcome depression.
ULifeline: https://www.ulifeline.org — Mental health resources for college students.
What You Can Do Right Now
Talk to Someone. A friend, roommate, RA, coach, or counselor can make a difference.
Move Your Body. Exercise boosts mood and reduces stress.
Stay Connected. Join a club, team, or faith community.
Rest and Reflect. Sleep, eat well, and give yourself grace.
Hang in there
It’s okay to not have it all figured out. Taking care of your mind and relationships is part of being strong.
If you’re struggling, please reach out. Help is here, and your story matters. [Campus counseling number]
From a friend, an academic: "10 years ago, when I was at [redacted] University, we had an expert on men's mental health, and he was working with Student Life to develop a men's center to help college men and mental health, like for real (not what you report below).
"But the outcry from students was so vicious that they had to abandon the idea. The overall student sentiment was something like, 'Why are we using scarce resources to support men and provide them a space, when men are the perpetrators of patriarchy and all other social ills?'
"No one listened to the actual data that showed that men were suffering."
Thanks again for the post. When the government shutdown ends, I will file a discrimination complaint with the US DOJ. They state on their site that they are interested in D.E.I. cases, and this case clearly falls under that heading.