A chance encounter atop a Utah overpass altered the trajectory of two strangers forever.
In 2022 Joe Tuia'ana, a local father on his way to a basketball game, came across a man in the midst of a mental health crisis. Rather than continue driving, he stopped, stepped out of his car, and approached him with open arms and a simple statement:
“I love you, bro!”
That moment of direct, unguarded human connection became the foundation of what is now the “I Love You, Bro” Project. A nonprofit focused on men’s mental health through structured peer support, data-informed programming, and community-based connection.
A Crisis in Silence
The statistics surrounding men’s mental health remain consistently stark. National data shows men remain significantly less likely to engage in traditional support systems.
Within Joe’s own collected data from program participants, a similar pattern emerges: only 8% report they would contact national crisis services, and just 13% would reach out to a partner during moments of acute distress.
Instead, two dominant themes appear repeatedly across thousands of responses: loneliness (70%) and shame (60%).
“These two things show up again and again,” Joe explains.
The 2 AM Bro Model
Rather than relying solely on clinical pathways, the “I Love You, Bro” Project has built a network of weekly, structured, non-clinical support groups designed to create consistent access to connection.
The model is intentionally simple: the same time, the same place, every week—offering men a place to speak openly without judgment, correction, or expectation.
“We’re not therapists,” Joe says. “We’re just average Joe’s for average bros, creating a place where men can be real.”
Within these spaces, men are encouraged to acknowledge both progress and struggle—sometimes in ways they have never done publicly before. Wins can be as small as getting out of bed or as significant as rebuilding relationships.
The impact is measurable in behavioral shifts. While traditional crisis resources remain underutilized, 82% of participants report they would reach out to someone they met through the groups in a moment of need.
These relationships are referred to within the organization as “2 AM bros”—trusted connections that extend beyond the weekly meetings.
Ogden Support Group
As awareness of men’s mental health continues to grow, the organization’s presence has expanded across Utah, including a weekly group in Ogden at the Youth Impact Center in downtown.
What began as a single group has grown into multiple weekly gatherings statewide, with continued expansion underway.
The local Ogden group meets every Monday at 7:30 pm near the 23rd Street corridor. Weekly meetings offer a consistent point of access for men seeking support and connection within their own community.
To learn more about the “I Love You, Bro” Project or to find a support group near you, visit iloveyoubroproject.org or scan the QR code on page __.
We’re not therapists. We’re just average Joe’s for average bros, creating a place where men can be real, speak openly, and find the connection they need to keep going.