A National Institutes of Health (NIH) study highlighted that men are notably less inclined to seek help for their mental health issues compared to women. The study identified several contributing factors, such as the distinct challenges men encounter in addressing mental health, societal norms, and the stigma surrounding mental health care.
As June is Men’s Mental Health Month, we would like to take this opportunity to shed light on the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and the challenges men face and provide some resources and support for those struggling. If you or someone you know needs support, you can find your nearest Member centre at www.dcontario.ca/locations. Many of our Members operate 24/7 and are all completely free to use. Let’s talk.
Why is Men’s Mental Health Important?
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), among Canadians of all ages, four of every five suicides are male (7). For many men, the hardest part is talking to someone about how they are feeling, due to societal expectations. Heads Up Guys, an online, anonymous resource specifically designed for men, and their families, outlined some of the reasons men struggle to talk about their mental health:
- Equate depression with weakness
- Don’t recognize what they’re experiencing as depressive symptoms
- Don’t think they need anyone else’s help, that they are beyond being helped, or don’t deserve to be helped
- Think ‘real men’ need to sort through problems on their own (6)
It is important to talk and listen to ensure that we can encourage conversation and uplift communities. By addressing men’s mental health we can help identify risk factors, provide support, and encourage timely intervention and prevention.
Indigenous Men’s Mental Health
We cannot speak about men’s mental health in Canada without addressing the disparity in our Indigenous communities. The Mental Health Commission of Canada shares in their “Men’s Mental Health and Suicide in Canada” report that: “Among men in Canada, Indigenous men and sexual and gender minority men are at highest risk for suicide. Compared to men in the general population, Indigenous men exhibit higher rates of suicidal behaviour, including suicidal ideation, attempt(s), and death. Suicide attempts are 10 times as high among male Inuit youth, compared to non-Indigenous male youth” (8).
In our most recent webinar on Indigenous Men’s Mental Health, Stephen Jackson from Anishnabeg Outreach shared a valuable point on healing. Jackson explains that “you have to heal the family because you might help the person but what you really have to help the person do is how to ask for help from the rest of the family. You have to teach the other family members how to support the person who needs help, so that you can raise the entire family.” We as people are family, and should look to support one another as best we can.
By making space to break down some of these stigmas of what a man should or shouldn’t be, we can actively move forward in building a system of connectedness. If you’d like to listen to our webinar on Indigenous Men’s Mental Health, you can listen to our podcast here.
BIPOC Men’s Mental Health
According to BIPOC Healing and Wellness Centre “Men of colour are less likely to seek support for their mental health concerns due to stigma in a world impacted by systems of patriarchy and toxic masculinity” (2). People from marginalized racial and ethnic groups often face unique stressors and systemic barriers that impact their mental health. Discrimination, racism, and intergenerational trauma can contribute to higher rates of mental health disorders among certain communities. Racial discrimination can cause mental health distress, and the current system is not well set up to support Black Canadians’ mental health needs. According to CMHA, a recent study found that over 53% of Black participants experienced significant racism when interacting with healthcare professionals (5).
A CBC article explains that many BIPOC men and youth struggle to find a therapist who understands their cultural needs and experiences. CBC interviewed Zaid Baig, who further explained that “he found himself needing to explain key parts of his cultural identity, like how important having his parents’ approval is, to his non-BIPOC therapist.” (3) For Baig and other BIPOC men, they often feel isolated and unable to open up and share their experiences. This lack of access to culturally-appropriate mental health resources can lead to further mental health issues and further disconnection from their communities.
Eating Disorders in Men and Boys
We know that the pressure to conform to idealized body standards affects everyone, regardless of gender. While much attention has been given to the impact on women when it comes to eating disorders and body dysmorphia, it is also crucial to recognize that men face significant challenges, particularly within the realm of fitness culture, or “gym-bro” culture. The rise of ‘gym culture’ has made a deep impact on societal norms. It’s affecting everything from fashion, to media, to lifestyle. According to Statistica, the market value of the athletic leisure apparel market in Canada stood at roughly 3.7 billion Canadian dollars in 2020 and was forecast to reach nearly five billion Canadian dollars by 2024 (9).
Gym culture has made a measurable change. With it, social media platforms have become full of images and videos showcasing toned bodies, that perfect 6am routine, and more perfectly curated fitness content. For many men, scrolling through their socials can quickly become a mixture of comparison, aspiration, and inadequacy. The consequences are profound and often overlooked. According to the National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC), “Boys and men may also believe that it is not masculine to talk about their feelings and/or that seeking help is a sign of weakness” (5).
NEDIC goes on to explain that men often feel pressured by a narrow set of body ideals, typically emphasizing large, muscular builds or slim, toned physiques. This limited masculine standard can have detrimental effects, linking body weight and shape with personal character and determination (5). Consequently, some males resort to damaging behaviours like strict dieting, excessive exercise, and substance abuse to cope with feelings of inadequacy and to conform to societal norms. While these behaviours may temporarily provide a sense of control and acceptance, they also lead to issues such as social isolation.
The pressure to achieve a specific body type leads to obsessive thoughts about weight loss or muscle gain. Many men, sometimes at the expense of their mental and physical health, suffer from muscle dysmorphia or bigorexia, which causes them to engage in relentless workouts and adhere to strict diet regimens. Whether it is compulsive calorie counting, extreme dieting, or the misuse of supplements and steroids, these behaviours reveal a struggle to meet unrealistic body ideals created by social media and societal expectations.
Pride and Men’s Mental Health
June is also Pride Month, so it is important to recognize how Pride intersects with important discussions about mental health, particularly for men within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. A new study from the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation identifies that young men aged 19-29, gay and bisexual, and racialized men are at a significantly higher risk for depression and anxiety (1).
Further, transgender men and gender non-conforming individuals may grapple with gender dysphoria, societal stigma, and lack of access to affirming healthcare, leading to heightened rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide. This may be exacerbated by the societal expectations of what it means to ‘be a man’–stoic, not expressing their emotions, and finding help on their own causing isolation. When someone is navigating their gender identity, these ideals can be harmful to circulate. It is important that we work as a community to support one another regardless of gender identity.
Conclusion
Men’s Mental Health Month provides some space for reflection on the challenges faced by men. The reluctance of many men to seek help, exacerbated by societal norms and stigmas surrounding men’s mental health care, requires us to act now. As we reflect on the findings from various studies and reports, it becomes evident that men, particularly those within marginalized communities such as Indigenous and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, face disproportionately high risks of mental health issues and suicide.
We must be sure to integrate discussions about men’s mental health into broader societal conversations, including Pride Month and considerations of body image and fitness culture, all which highlight the interconnectedness of these issues. As a community, we must continue to advocate for inclusive, affirming spaces that support individuals regardless of gender identity or background. We must heal the community to heal the individual. Talk, listen and share.
Resources
Anishnabeg Outreach: incorporated non-profit organization guided by a volunteer Board of Directors. They provide Indigenous people with access to culturally appropriate services and strive to support individuals with direction and assistance to overcome barriers.
Canadian Centre for Men and Families: The Canadian Centre for Men and Families provides a broad range of programs: counselling, peer support, mindfulness meditation, legal assistance, fathering, employment consultation, discussion groups, lectures and mentorship. Programs are free unless stated otherwise. Everyone is welcome.
Canadian Men’s Sheds Association: Where men can get together for free activities like woodworking projects, cooking, bike repairs, music, and yelling at the television during the playoffs. Many guys have time on their hands and tend to suffer from isolation, loneliness, and depression, especially after they retire and their careers were a big part of their identity. Men come together, stay productive, and contribute to the community—all of which are good for overall health. Join a Shed or start a Shed.
Crow Shield Lodge: Crow Shield Lodge is built upon the four pillars of:
- Education – Providing access to Indigenous worldviews and cosmovisions which are available to people of all Nations.
- Healing – Indigenous traditional healing from a holistic approach through sweat lodge ceremony, circles, and land-based work.
- Reconciliation – Creating the space for meaningful reconciliation between settlers, non-Indigenous people living on Turtle Island, and Indigenous Nations.
- Land Stewardship – Teachings and practices which help us to restore balance to our relationship with Mother Earth.
Heads Up Guys: An online, anonymous resource specifically designed for men, and their families, to prevent the continued erosion of men’s mental health and deaths by suicide. Their website offers tips and articles that arm men with the tools they need to fight depression, as well as recovery stories from men who have faced depression, and an international therapist directory to connect men with local mental health professionals.
We Matter Campaign: We Matter is an Indigenous youth-led and nationally registered organization dedicated to Indigenous youth support, hope and life promotion. They provide a forum for people across the country to share messages of hope and positivity.
Sources
1. 2024 Men’s Mental Health Study Canada. Canadian Men’s Health Foundation. (2024, June 7). https://menshealthfoundation.ca/research/2024-mens-depression-anxiety-study/
2. About BIPOC Healing and Wellness Centre. BIPOC Healing and Wellness Centre. (n.d.). https://www.bipochealingcentre.ca/about
3. Anand, A. (2023, February 1). Taboos and therapists who don’t understand: Mental health struggles more complicated for BIPOC Youth | CBC News. CBCnews. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/mental-health-bipoc-youth-struggles-stories-ottawa-1.6730187
4 Bremshey, A. (2023, February 16). Mental health within black communities in Canada: Profiles of Advocates (and bonus resources!). CMHA National. https://cmha.ca/news/mental-health-within-black-communities-in-canada-profiles-of-advocates-and-bonus-resources/#:~:text=As%20a%20result%2C%20Black%20people,higher%20than%20the%20general%20population.
5 Eating Disorders in Boys and Men. NEDIC. (n.d.). https://nedic.ca/resources/?category=31
6 Men and suicide: What you need to know. HeadsUpGuys. (2024, March 4). https://headsupguys.org/suicide-in-men/
7 Men’s Mental Health. CMHA Toronto. (2024, February 22). https://cmhato.org/understanding-mental-health/mens-mental-health/
8 Raising awareness of men’s mental health. Mental Health Commission of Canada. (2023, November 23). https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/resource/raising-awareness-of-mens-mental-health/
9 Tighe, D. (2022, September 16). Forecast Athletic Leisure Apparel Market Canada 2024. Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/488868/value-of-the-sports-apparel-market-in-canada/