The month of June is Men’s Mental Health Month. This month is a crucial month for igniting a conversation among all people, from all backgrounds, that mental health care is important for everyone. 

Statistics Canada (2026) reported a staggering statistic: In Canada, men account for approximately 75% of deaths by suicide. In men, the highest rates of suicide occur between the ages of 45-64, and the suicide rate is almost three times higher than that of women. 

According to research conducted by the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation and Intensions Consulting in 2025, one in two men are at risk of social isolation, with risk increasing for:

• Men who live alone
• Younger men aged 19-29
• Men who belong to racialized groups
• Suicide is the second-leading cause of death in people aged 15 to 34

These researchers also discovered that 66.8% of men have never used mental health services. 

These findings are extremely problematic for a variety of reasons. A major issue with the silent struggling of men is that they may not process their emotions in a healthy way, and may instead mask their emotional pain through harmful behaviours towards others (e.g., intimate partner violence, sexual violence, etc.), through addiction (to substances, such as drugs or alcohol, or behaviours, such as watching violent porn or gambling).  

It is also not widely known that depression may not present as crying or sadness in men. Instead, it may present as irritability, anger, difficulties focusing, or through physical symptoms, making it more difficult to identify and to seek help. 

In a document written by the Prevention Collaborative’s 2023 Evidence Review, they reported that the frequency of perpetrating intimate partner violence is up to three times higher among individuals with diagnosed mental health disorders, as compared to those without diagnosed mental health disorders. Supporting men’s mental health is not only important for men, but it is also important for everyone: Evidence suggests that improving mental health can contribute to reducing the prevalence of IPV (Prevention Collaborative, 2023). 

Mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, trauma-related symptoms and post-traumatic stress disorder tend to be contributed to by underlying factors, including patriarchal norms and gender inequalities, poverty and food insecurity, and lack of social support. Therefore, by reaching out to the men in our lives, and having men reach out to one another, we can help reduce the prevalence of these mental health challenges. 

Reducing social isolation can be as simple as a weekly phone call, going out for a walk, or meeting up for a coffee to connect and talk with one another. Learn how to start a real conversation to help those who are struggling.

By unlearning patriarchal norms and balancing gender inequalities, we can also work towards a healthier future together! In the coming months, we hope to partner with New Brunswick high schools to engage our young men and boys in conversations about consent, healthy emotion processing, and healthy relationships! 

Our work at We’re Here For You Canada over the next year and onward is towards preventing gender-based violence and to do that, we need to help men and boys be healthy, happy, and the best people they can be. Not only for women and children, but for men and boys to live their best lives!

This photo is of our CEO’s son in law who lost the battle to mental health in August 2025.

He will always be remembered and we recognize Ryan’s Legacy as we support men and their mental health.