UMass Lowell students will have access to MANUAL’s full suite of resources to support overall health and wellness
WASHINGTON, October 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Today, the University of Massachusetts-Lowell announced a new partnership with MANUAL, an innovative online men’s personal development platform, to provide young men on campus with anonymous support and resources for their physical, psychological, academic and sexual well-being.
Through this partnership, the evidence-based and expert-led online platform MANUAL provides accessible and engaging content to thousands of young men on campus, covering a wide range of topics including mental health, sexual health, nutrition, fitness and general well-being. This platform will enable students to make informed health decisions that will improve their ability to perform at their best in the classroom and beyond.
“We are proud to invest in the well-being of young men in UMass Lowell“, said Ruben Sança, director of student life and well-being at the University University of Massachusetts-Lowell. “We are committed to preparing students for success, and MANUAL is a great way to address the range of challenges facing young men on campus today.” This addition further strengthens the university’s comprehensive and responsive mental health resources available to all students.
“Young men are in crisis, and this platform offers a personalized approach and the anonymity that many students appreciate when seeking help,” said Matthew Stefanko, Founder and CEO of MANUAL. “THE University of Massachusetts-Lowell is a leading institution when it comes to meeting the specific needs of its students, so it’s no surprise to me that they decided to dedicate resources to the unique challenges facing young men on their campus .
Preliminary studies indicate that MANUAL enrollment is a promising avenue for improving health literacy among young men, particularly on potentially taboo or sensitive topics, such as erectile dysfunction; improved individual health, for example by increasing healthy behaviors and reducing mental distress; and improved student retention, particularly confidence to graduate from one’s current university and undergraduate intentions to earn advanced degrees. MANUAL also appears to be a promising avenue for combating substance abuse, particularly excessive alcohol and marijuana use.
The partnership between UMass Lowell and MANUAL represents a significant step forward in addressing men’s health issues on college campuses. Through this collaboration, both organizations hope to have a lasting impact on students’ lives and create a model for other fraternities and organizations to follow. This year, MANUAL is partnering with a diverse group of academic institutions and organizations across the country, including Elmhurst University, Indiana UniversityTHE University of Mississippiand the University of the Virgin Islands.
About University of Massachusetts-Lowell: THE University of Massachusetts-Lowell is a nationally ranked public research university committed to excellence in teaching, research and community engagement. We strive to prepare students to succeed in college and become lifelong learners and informed citizens in a global environment. UMass Lowell offers affordable, experience-based undergraduate and graduate degree programs taught by internationally renowned faculty who conduct research to expand the horizons of knowledge and sustainable practices. Programs span and interconnect the disciplines of business, education, engineering, fine arts, health, humanities, sciences and social sciences. The university continues to build on its founding tradition of innovation, entrepreneurship, and partnerships with industry and community to address the challenges facing the region and the world. Learn more about uml.edu.
About the MANUAL: MANUAL is an online personal development platform for men that aims to improve the health knowledge and well-being of young men. Through evidence-based content and engaging resources, MANUAL addresses various health topics including mental health, sexual health, nutrition, fitness, and more. MANUAL’s mission is to give men the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions about their health and lead fulfilling lives, especially for support-resistant young men. To learn more, visit manual.maintenance
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