Author of You Don’t Have to Swallow Your Gun

Tim Krass

Tim Krass’ harrowing, dramatic personal story weaves its way throughout his book YOU DON’T HAVE TO SWALLOW YOUR GUN. Tim lived with depression, suicide attempts and has studied masculinity for more than thirty-seven years. His diagnosed condition of ‘severe depressive disorder that is recurring’ was the reason that he abused marijuana, and that he had a knife in his hand in order to slit his wrists and bleed out. This condition ruined his business and personal relationships, and retarded his growth as a human being. His condition was a factor in causing his heart attack as well as expanding the size of his ego, which limited the quality of life.

Despite having a heart attack, Tim has lived through a severe depressive disorder that is recurring as well as his forty-one year addiction to drugs and alcohol. He understands what masculinity is and what masculinity is not, so he can ask for help with his diseases and give his best to living a healthy and happy life. He is dedicating his life to create awareness of his story so that other men don’t have to go through the pain and suffering that he experienced because men CAN get the support they require to manage their depression and many times addictions, in order to be the best version of themselves. He wants to help as many people and save as many lives as possible.

You Don’t Have to Swallow Your Gun

The suicide rate for men is 3.5 times higher than it is for women. The suicide rate is highest among middle-aged white men, who account for almost 70% of all suicides. The World Health Organization reports that suicide represents half of all male violent deaths worldwide. Men over the age of 65 are at the greatest risk of suicide.

Although women are about twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression, men are almost four times as likely to die from suicide, suggesting that many men have undiagnosed mental health issues. Research indicates that rates of undiagnosed depression are substantially higher in men than women. Why do so many men choose not to get treatment for depression? Most men are not aware that they suffer from depression. Many men who do know that something is very wrong with them are stigmatized by the fear that they will be perceived by others as feminine or weak. This book offers a potentially life-saving experience that is easy for men to read because men are simple. Thus, it is easy to understand and to immediately apply what they have read. In one place, men can easily gain insight about three mysterious and stigmatized topics that are related but frequently misunderstood.