Press, Speaking Engagements, Podcasts & Certifications

Mental Health Articles Authored

Depression. A Part of the Human Condition

When looking at the rich complexities of his own and other people’s life with depression, a man can still end up on the side of hope.

Black Dog Blokes’ Blog Featured Fellow: Michael Kasdan

This week’s Black Dog Blokes’ Blog guest post is an abridged adaptation of Michael Kasdan’s story, originally published anonymously on The Good Men Project on August 28, 2014, under the title: “Depression. A Part of the Human Condition.”

#NotWeakJustHuman: Coming to Terms With Mental Illness Takes Work, Time . . . and a Village

Mike Kasdan talks about his journey from being closed and ashamed of depression to opening up and becoming an ally in helping other men do the same.

A Man and His Depression: Recurrence

Michael Kasdan shares a letter he wrote to himself about his own depression.

Intro to Alone

“Inside the pit of my stomach, a feeling, like being trapped in one of those dreams where your teeth are falling out of your mouth. Or you are losing your hair. And you can’t make it stop.”

Our Exclusive Conversation with Dr. Andrew Solomon

Lead Editor Mike Kasdan’s far ranging conversation with Andrew Solomon covers mental health, issues of identity and gay rights, parenting, social justice, and the storytelling that ties us all together.

I May Be Crazy (But It Just May Be a Lunatic You’re Looking For)

Mike Kasdan says that mental health maladies like depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and autism reflect the diversity of our minds, and we should embrace them rather than stigmatize them.

Good Men Project Storytelling: All Stories Start in the Middle (Spoken Word)

Mike Kasdan shares the story of the bottom of his depression.

Mental Health in the American Workplace: The Leadership and Strength of Dak Prescott

Dak's humanity and leadership should be seen as a strength, not a weakness. The Skip Bayless controversy shows that we have a lot more work to do to on this issue, both at home and in the workplace.

Tennis Star Naomi Osaka Controversy Brings Mental Health Conversation Into Sharp Focus on a Global Stage — But Don’t Read The Comments

Osaka using her voice and platform to address and prioritize mental health, but the response by many fans shows how far we have to go on the issue.

Ben Gordon Becomes The Latest NBA Player To Speak Out About Mental Health

In his Player's Tribune piece, 'Where Is My Mind,' Gordon opens up about being bipolar, his suicide attempt and hospitalization, and how therapy changed his life.

The media's illness blind spot: What CNN and more get so maddeningly wrong about Germanwings

Anxiety and depression do not a mass murderer make, but that won't stop outlets from stigmatizing the conditions

Royce White: Mental Health is One of the Most Important Conversations for Society Today

Michael Kasdan talks to ex-NBA player Royce White about the importance of accelerating the conversation about mental health—in the NBA and beyond.

Move the Movember

Billy Tyler is Walking to Raise Awareness for Men's Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

The Suicide of a Law Student and Former College Football Player Has Led His Family to Start ‘Matthew Benedict’s One Last Goal’

'Start the conversation. No more hiding. No more silence. Speak up. Reach out. Tell people you love them. Make the community and the world a better place. Mental health is no fun but it is necessary to talk about. Don’t be like me. Don’t wait. Be brave.'

Rider on the Storm

Cyclist Nick Frendo has partnered with Movember and MAAP to raise money for suicide prevention and to raise awareness about men's mental health. His ability to open up has saved his life. Now he's using his own story and his passion for cycling to help save others.

How Mental Illness Re-shapes a Marriage

Interview with Mark Lukach. Mark's memoir, 'My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward,' explores his journey of caregiving for his wife Giulia, and their son Jonas, through her battles with psychosis and depression.

Our Modern Condition: Disconnected By Way of Overconnection

Michael Kasdan talks about human connection and explores the connections between so many of our difficult societal issues: ghosting, gun violence, sexual assault, depression and suicide

Connecting the Dots: The Man Box and The Law

Mike Kasdan explores the parallels between dominance-based masculinity and traditional law firm culture and its effect on diversity, inclusion and equity, as well as mental health

The Clothes Do Not Make The Man

With an assist from George Michael for the riff, Mike Kasdan takes issue with calls for "professionalism" in the way we dress.

The Top Dozen Reasons Why Trying To Be More Like Your Dog Will Improve Your Mental Health

Tired: Send Doggie Pictures | Wired: Acting More Like Your Dog.

The Changing Workplace. The Changing Us

Mike Kasdan reflects on how the pandemic has changed our relationship to work and way we move through the world

Difficult Conversations About Suicide. Towards a Better Path Forward.

"It’s an epidemic and [we] need[] to do better."

Lawyering While Human: Origin Story (April, 2022, NJ LAP Newsletter)

'There Are Long-Term Consequences': Why Improving Mental Health in the Legal Profession Must Begin in Law School (April 18, 2022, Law.com) (quoted and cited)

How I Took Leave From My Law Firm Job and Returned To My Firm To Manage My Depression (April 20, 2022, The American Lawyer/NY Law Journal)

Mike Kasdan shares his personal story of going through depression while working for law firms, which culminated in his taking a medical leave last year and then returning to his firm earlier this year. He shares his views on how we can change the legal industry for the better.

Partner Opens Up About Depression and How Firms Can Do Better: There's a lot to do. (April 25, 2022, Above The Law, by Joe Patrice)

“Attorney Well Being: Where We Are, The Business Case for Change, and Strategies for Getting There,” Practical Law Company (Thomson/Reuters, Ed. J. Cherry) (April 30, 2022)

An Article setting out the business case for attorney well-being. This Article addresses the current state of attorney well-being; the factors that contribute to the grim picture; the importance of understanding the intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and well-being, including the special barriers to well-being for attorneys from underrepresented and historically excluded groups; the current potential for change in the legal profession; the business reasons for supporting attorney well-being; and tangible ways of improving attorney well-being.

Book Chapter

The Recovery Letters

Authored one of collection of letters to selves authored by those who had recovered from depression. Hard copy of book was published in 2017.

Selected Mental Health Articles

The Good Men Project: 10 Voices on Mental Health

In honor of Mental Health Month, The Good Men Project presents some of its best writings on mental health.

The Stories of Men with Mental Illness

These posts are part of a special series, a collaboration between The Good Men Project and Stigma Fighters, poignant stories of men living with mental illness

We’re Not Weak. Just Human

Eight regular guys made this video to share their own stories and to show that dealing with mental health issues is a human issue. #NotWeakJustHuman

Movember Collection on The Good Men Project

A collection of postings on behalf of Movember regarding suicide prevention and awareness.

My Search for Life After Suicide

Billy Tyler is openly talking about his experience and helping others by "being louder than the grief."

The Sexist Stigma Against Depressed Men—and How to Fight It (Quoted)

Men may claim that it's just burnout or stress, but there should be no shame in dealing with depression.