ABOUT
Learn the story behind the Camo Hat Club™
The Camo Hat Club™ rallies around a simple truth: Men need men. It’s a straightforward statement that holds profound significance and impact, driven by a staggering and heart wrenching statistic: 80% of all suicides are men. The gravity of this figure cannot be understated. It demands attention, action, and a concerted effort to create opportunities where men can navigate the complexities of life together.
Close relationships with other people have more of an impact on our physical health and longevity than even our genes do (Mineo, 2017, Vadantam, 2018). A satisfying relationship can extend life longevity by up to 22%. Loneliness is a risk factor comparable to smoking, obesity, and high blood pressure (Holt-Lunstad, et al., 2010, Hawkley, et al, 2010, House, et al., 1988, Murphy, et al., 2017). Loneliness in men is correlated with cardiovascular disease and stroke. Again, men represent 80% of all deaths by suicides.
The mission of the Camo Hat Club™ is rooted in the belief that real conversations can be a lifeline. So in this spirit, the gatherings may begin with casual conversation, but they are a deliberate attempt to create an environment where men can check in with each other. The vision extends beyond the confines of a physical meeting—it aspires to be a beacon of hope and a close-knit community that stands together to help each other traverse the intricacies and struggles of being human.
A program of the Half a Sorrow Foundation, halfasorrow.org
CLUB BENEFITS
What to expect from club meet-ups
Friendship
Men as they get older tend to withdraw or suffer from what some call a “friendship recession.” The Camo Hat Club is an antidote by consistently gathering and connecting men to each other.
Belonging
Beyond sharing thoughts and struggles honestly, members listen to one another without judgment, creating a strong sense of acceptance and inclusion.
Active Support
Members commit to being there for each other during both the highs and lows of life, often form relationships outside of club gatherings, and protect each other from silent suffering.
WHY CAMO
It's a simple explanation
Why does the Camo Hat Club use a camo hat?
The camo hat is intentionally symbolic. Men tend to camouflage their emotions. Wearing a camo hat in public with other men wearing the same hat inverts that instinct — instead of hiding, it makes men visible and identifiable as part of a community that takes mental health seriously.
TESTIMONIALS
Hear directly from club members
"It's a fun breakfast social event to connect with other guys and share various topics, from local places to eat to outdoor places to explore to upcoming events occurring in the area to financial stuff. You name it, we talk about it, and we do bring up the topic of mental health every time as a check-in. All around a positive, uplifting, and encouraging get-together on a regular basis!”
Greenville, SC
Member since 2022!
"To be honest with you, if we did not do this Camo Hat thing, I would never see these guys. Life has a way of just taking over, and I am so glad that we carve out time once a month to check in on each other. I get to break bread with these dudes 12 times a year, and if we did not have this club, I know for a fact that number would be ZERO!"
D. Gillan/Founder
"I met these guys after my divorce and I was living in a small apartment. Every month I looked forward to getting together with these men just to get me out of my place and out of my head. One of the guys was in a hiking club and convinced me to join. I now see him at breakfast and on the trail. I need this club."
Nick H/Member Since 2020
CLUBS
Inspired to start a club?
01
Identify Core Members
Start by assembling a small group of dedicated individuals who share the vision of the Camo Hat Club and are committed to its mission.
02
Be Regular
This does not mean eat more fiber! Decide on a monthly meeting time and a comfortable venue that's easy for all members to access, keeping the focus on convenience and consistency. Same day, place and time---KISS!
03
Establish a Simple Communication Channel
Create a straightforward way to remind members of upcoming meetings, like a group text or email chain, ensuring everyone is kept in the loop with minimal hassle. Keep it simple.
04
Outline the First Meeting's Agenda
Plan an introductory meeting that includes time for members to share their stories and discuss the club's purpose and future activities. It's your club---make it what you want it to be.
05
Delegate Responsibilities
To distribute the workload, assign roles such as a coordinator for meeting logistics and a member outreach leader to keep the group welcoming and growing. There is no I in team, said every coach ever!!
About the Founder
Dennis Gillan is one of five kids. Loud family. Funny family. Normal family.
He lost two of his brothers to suicide.
That's the sentence that changes everything. And it's the reason the Camo Hat Club exists.
After losing his brother Mark, and then eleven years later his brother Matt, Dennis decided that silence wasn't working. Not for his family. Not for the 80% of men who make up suicide deaths in this country. Not for any of us. So he stopped being quiet about it.
Dennis founded the Half a Sorrow Foundation in 2020 with a straightforward mission: reduce the number of suicides in the world by getting people to talk about the hard stuff. He's QPR trained, ASIST certified, a former helpline worker, a TEDx speaker, and the host of the podcast It's a Tough Subject. He has spent 15 years walking into rooms nobody else wanted to walk into and starting the conversation nobody else wanted to start.
The Camo Hat Club is his simplest idea. And maybe his best one. Men need men. Get them in a room. Feed them. Let them talk.
That's it.
P.S. The beer in the photo is a non-alcoholic beer. Dennis has been sober since losing his younger brother. Over 31 years and counting....