Healthy Masculinity Training Institute

The Healthy Masculinity Training Institute (HMTI), offered in person and online, is a chance to learn the theories and develop the skills that have shaped the Healthy Masculinity Action Project (HMAP), a national initiative designed to raise the visibility of healthy masculinity and build a new generation of male leaders across the country who model non-violent, emotionally healthy masculinity, serving as positive change-makers.

Through three days of discussions about theory, interactive group exercises, role-playing, and multi-media presentations, the training institute presents participants with a framework to positively construct masculinity and motivate men’s engagement in the primary prevention of violence against women and girls.

The HMTI is the nation’s most comprehensive healthy masculinity training for professionals from around the world.

MCSR normally hosts the HMTI in Washington, DC once in January and once in July each year. We have additionally hosted the HMTI in April and October, and also in other major cities such as New York City and Chicago.

 
 

“Why should we care about healthy masculinity? Because men who choose it choose to be strong without being violent. It’s a life-changer that benefits everyone.”

 

This training is ideal for…

Staff from universities, middle and high schools, law enforcement agencies, the US armed forces, athletic directors and coaches, LGBTQ+ organizations, statewide and local coalitions, fatherhood groups, juvenile justice organizations, social workers, counselors, service agencies, and government agencies.

MCSR is internationally recognized for our approach to positively mobilizing men in the prevention of sexual and domestic violence. In the past 25 years, MCSR has reached more than 200 million men and boys through our pioneering youth development programs, public education campaigns, trainings, and presentations.

Our work exists in urban, rural, suburban and frontier communities domestically and internationally and at the Federal, State, City and grassroots levels. MCSR produces sustainable measurable outcomes at each level of the social-ecological and environmental change models by emphasizing primary prevention, social and emotional learning and healthy masculinity.

 
 
 

Training Objectives

  • Become more aware of the unhealthy aspects of “dominant stories” related to masculinity and better understand the importance of healthy “counter stories” of masculinity

  • Understand how these counter stories of masculinity connect with healthy masculinity and the prevention of gender-based violence and other forms of violence

  • Explore the challenges of mobilizing men and boys,  and learn effective ways to overcome these challenges

  • Learn exercises and activities to mobilize men and boys through healthy masculinity

  • Build skills for speaking with men and boys about healthy masculinity and violence prevention

  • Strategize with others about the value of positive approaches to involving men and boys in our work

  • Learn how to assist men and boys in connecting unhealthy masculinity to different types of oppressions

 
 

“The training felt professional, welcoming, calm, and highly encouraging. The facilitators encouraged open communication and effective collaboration. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to build boys and men up as allies, as strong, thoughtful, and connected individuals participating in a society that often puts boys and men down.”

— Adde Waggoner, Training Participant