In this episode of The Faith Network Podcast, we continue our critical conversation on men's health in Arkansas. The Faith Network launched this series after realizing that many of our partners—men leading in ministry and community work—were experiencing health crises in silence. If it's happening to them, it's happening to the men in our churches and neighborhoods.

Our panel returns:

Dr. Austin Porter – Deputy State Epidemiologist and Chief Science Officer at the Arkansas Department of Health, and Associate Professor at UAMS College of Public Health

Rev. Johnnie Smith – Senior Pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Pine Bluff

Kelvin Parker – Founder and Executive Director of GOAT (Giving Others Ambition Together)

This week we unpack:

• The life expectancy gap: Men in Arkansas live six years less than women on average. In Northwest Arkansas, men live to 78. In Phillips County? Just 68. Geography is shaping destiny.
• The mental health crisis hiding in plain sight: 60% of Arkansas men report zero days of poor mental health. Only 18% have been diagnosed with depression. Yet suicide rates for men are five times higher than women. We're saying we're okay—but we're not.
• The stigma that's killing us: When churches host mental health events, most attendees are women. Men find coping mechanisms, but never address the root. That has to change.
• Reaching the next generation: Kelvin Parker shares how GOAT is building health into the DNA of young people—exercise, mental wellness, and eating habits—before bad patterns take root.
• Resources you can use today: The Arkansas Minority Health Commission operates a 38-foot mobile health unit providing free screenings at churches and community events. UAMS offers a free clinic three days a week. Call 501-686-2720 to schedule.

Dr. Porter said it plainly: "A lot of times people will listen to their pastor before their physician." That's why the church has to lead here. Rev. Smith is already taking action—returning to Shiloh to appoint a health coordinator for his congregation.

What will you do?

This episode is brought to you by the Translational Research Institute.

In this episode of The Faith Network Podcast, we're having an honest conversation about the state of men's health in Arkansas. The numbers are sobering: 16% of men in our state don't have a healthcare provider. One in four men won't see a doctor this year. And 75% of Arkansas men are considered overweight.

We sit down with three voices bringing different perspectives to the same urgent issue:

Dr. Austin Porter – State Epidemiologist and Chief Science Officer at the Arkansas Department of Health, and Associate Professor at UAMS College of Public Health – brings the data and the science.

Rev. Johnnie Smith – Senior Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Pine Bluff – speaks to the pastoral and spiritual dimensions of caring for our bodies.

Kelvin Parker – Founder and Executive Director of GOAT (Giving Others Ambition Together) – addresses how we're shaping the next generation of young men in Central Arkansas.

Together, we unpack:

• Why men avoid the doctor (hint: time, cost, and fear of medication)
• The alarming stats on prostate cancer screening, high blood pressure, and cholesterol
• How the church and community organizations can help shift the culture
• What it looks like to steward your health as an act of faith

If you're a man listening—or you love one—this episode is for you.

For more resources regarding findings for this study, please visit https://www.archildrens.org/research

Essential resources for anyone who is a veteran (or knows a veteran who may be having a suicide crisis):

1. VA S.A.V.E. 

Training is free, and it is free for anyone to take at https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/va-save. If you feel like in-person training would be more useful, you can find your local VA suicide prevention coordinator at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/find-resources/local-resources/.

2. We Are the 22

Groundbreaking organization focused on direct veteran suicide intervention. Our teams are on standby twenty-four hours a day to respond in person to Arkansas veterans in suicidal crisis to provide peer support and get them to the help they need.   You can learn more at: https://wearethe22.org/.

3. The Armory Project (TAP) 

Helps prevent firearm suicides by facilitating safe, voluntary, out-of-home firearm storage with trusted firearms dealers and other vetted partners in local communities.  Learn more at https://www.armoryproject.org/.

4. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website

https://www.samhsa.gov/.  They have a copy of a safety plan that can be downloaded and printed https://www.samhsa.gov/resource/988/safety-plan and they have a video that helps explain a safety plan and how to use it https://www.samhsa.gov/resource/988/build-safety-plan-video.  The VA also has an app that can be used for safety plans https://mobile.va.gov/app/safety-plan.  There are numerous websites that help with safety planning to include My Safety Plan at https://www.mysafetyplan.org/.

5. Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Can be reached by dialing 988.  Veterans or someone helping a Veteran can press 1.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Therapeutic Solutions

UAMS Mindfulness Program