MANUAL

Release Recovery is pleased to announce Karl Morand as the new Chief Technology Officer (CTO). In this role, Karl will oversee the organization’s technology strategy and drive innovations to improve the client experience. Karl is being promoted from Head of Engineering at MANUAL, a subsidiary of Release Recovery, to Chief Technology Officer at Release Recovery. Karl Morand is a seasoned engineering leader with over a decade of experience driving product innovation and building high-performing teams. He has successfully grown engineering departments from the ground up to deliver products that have reached thousands of users. At MANUAL, he led numerous groundbreaking technology initiatives that reinforced the company’s mission to inspire young men to reach their fullest potential. “We are thrilled that Karl is taking the next step in his career at Release Recovery. This is a signal to the market that we are committed to hiring and retaining talented technology professionals. We are honored that Karl will lead that charge,” said Zac C., Founder and CEO of Release Recovery. Karl’s leadership reinforces Release Recovery's commitment to its recent acquisition of MANUAL and the company’s ongoing investment in technology. “I'm honored to serve as CTO for Release Recovery to lead our efforts in bridging innovative digital solutions with compassionate, person-centered care. Backed by the passion and creativity of our engineering team, we’re developing tools and experiences that truly support individuals, families, and professionals through every stage of the recovery journey.” - Karl Morand

Release Recovery Foundation and MANUAL Care has launched the application?for a national higher education grant, providing over $150,000 to schools and universities to invest in work to support young men’s mental health and wellbeing. This award will empower colleges and universities nationwide to fund and develop programs targeted at the success of male-identifying students in collaboration with MANUAL. The application is open and available. Deadline for applications is May 1st, 2025. Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions. Application Link: https://lnkd.in/gUEpJ3aw

We are hiring a Director of Digital Coaching & Education! As the Director of Digital Coaching & Education, you’ll lead MANUAL spending every day thinking about high quality engagement, coaching, and education for young men around their mental health and personal development. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/emCz-cG4

Thank you to Florida Atlantic University for being one of our trusted partners and showcasing the work we are doing together. For more information about how to bring MANUAL to your campus- send us a message!

This week on The Zac Clark Show, I sit down with Matthew Stefanko, the founder of MANUAL. Matthew shares his personal journey, from being bullied as a child to struggling with mental health issues and alcohol dependency. He reflects on the unique challenges young men face in seeking help and why partnering with Release Recovery was a pivotal moment for MANUAL. Together, we are poised to drive meaningful change in men’s mental health. MANUAL was created to meet young men where they are, providing the tools and resources they need to take control of their well-being. With the support of Release Recovery, this mission is now set to reach even more young men across the country, combining digital and in-person support on college campuses and high schools nationwide. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about mental health, personal growth, and the future of men’s well-being. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/eDVgbEM4 https://lnkd.in/eNuBrgrK https://lnkd.in/ez4wbMee

We are proud to announce our first partnership in the sports industry with the Lexington Legends and Temerity Capital Partners. The MANUAL team recognizes the needs of young men - and for our unique offerings - are needed outside of universities as much as they are needed within them, and this partnership establishes our first opportunity to measure and evaluate our work in this setting. Gregg Zaun, Alicia Amling, Jake Sandler, and Julie Sandler are thinking about supporting their players in a way that is empathetic and caring for their mental well-being - but that will also improve their performance on the field. We are especially excited to share this news during #MensHealthMonth. Go Legends!?

This #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, we’re celebrating startups revolutionizing mental wellness. Here are some companies leading the charge.?? Sukhi Wellness: Personalized digital solutions for workplace well-being, addressing stress and burnout. ?? Marigold Health: Tech-enabled support for mental health and substance use through anonymous chat groups. ?? Arise: Virtual support for eating disorders, offering mental support, nutrition guidance, and group sessions. MANUAL: Digital platform inspiring young men to prioritize mental wellness with on-demand content and live coaching. ??

Since joining the IFC, one of our council's primary initiatives has been mental health. That's why I'm excited to share that the UMN Interfraternity Council has partnered with MANUAL, a mental health program present at 40+ universities targeting Greek life students. After much collaboration with Matthew Stefanko (CEO) and my counterparts on the council (Maxwell Tuzinski-Dashe, Luke Wittner, Peter Groshens, Silas Simpson, Cody Fanum), we are happy to announce that the program will be accessible to 1,700+ students starting today! For more information on MANUAL: https://lnkd.in/gQPupiYt

Very excited to partner with Manual and provide more mental health care services for our students! I’m proud to have worked on a project that will help thousands of people for years to come. This was a long process and I want to thank Matt for his continued dedication to helping our students.

We at The Inner Foundation are excited to announce a new investment in our thematic investment area of Uplifting Emerging Adult Men, with our support of MANUAL ?? MANUAL offers an innovative men’s resource and engagement platform, thoughtfully designed to support and meet the unique needs of emerging adult men within higher education in the US.? In today’s landscape, young men are facing daunting challenges in navigating the transition to adulthood: record-low university enrolment rates, alarming suicide and mortality statistics, and a persistent stigma surrounding mental health. Despite this negative trend, the utilisation of mental health and other support services within this demographic remains alarmingly low. MANUAL boldly steps in to fill this gap and differentiates itself from other well-being solutions targeting universities through its evidence-based approach: offering 1-1 coaching services for men facilitated by other men and an expert content bank curated in interplay with its users. Since its launch in 2022, MANUAL has partnered with over 40 academic institutions and 50,000 young men, successfully engaging them, destigmatizing seeking help, and bolstering the utilisation of services. ?? We commend the business acumen and mission-driven mindset of founder Matthew Stefanko and the MANUAL team and are proud to support a solution that specifically addresses the mental health of emerging adult men in the US. Nevertheless, the pervasive stigma surrounding men’s mental health and the hesitance to seek support presents global challenges. The glaring lack of funding allocated to this demographic underscores the urgent need for us as investors to come together and prioritise this underserved group. If you’re interested in investing in this demographic or a changemaker who’s innovating a solution targeting emerging adult men’s mental wellbeing, don’t hesitate to reach out! #MentalHealthMatters #MensMentalHealth #HigherEducation #InvestmentAnnouncement #HybridFinancing