We owe it to Canadian men and boys to
prioritize their mental health
ROB WHITLEY AND ERIN O’TOOLE
CONTRIBUTED TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL
PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 10, 2025
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‘Men’s Sheds’ are a growing global movement of informal social clubs for men to build friendships, learn
new skills and help their communities.
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Rob Whitley is a professor in the Department of Psychiatry at McGill University.
Erin O’Toole is president of ADIT North America and a former leader of the
Opposition.
In the years since COVID-19 arrived, society has become far more comfortable
talking about the isolation and stress felt during the pandemic’s lockdowns. In
turn, this has led to more honest conversations about difficult and personal
subjects, like depression and even suicide. However, there remains an
uncomfortable, lingering challenge surrounding mental health that does not
get the attention it deserves. Namely, how to respond to the unique mentalhealth needs of men and boys.
Research indicates that men and boys account for an inordinate amount of
mental-health challenges in Canada. A recent study by the Canadian Men’s
Health Foundation found that 50 per cent of men are experiencing social
isolation, and that 64 per cent report moderate-to-high levels of stress. A
Statistics Canada survey found that 17 per cent of men report poor or fair
mental health. Yet men account for around 75 per cent of Canadian suicides,
with more than 50 per week taking their own lives. Similarly, surveys reveal
that men are more likely than women to have serious addiction issues, which is
a factor in suicidality.
Many young males are struggling with education and employment, and these
trends may only get more challenging in the future. One report states that 22
per cent of boys in Quebec do not graduate high school on time, linked to
factors such as higher rates of ADHD, as well as a lack of tailored support and
male role models for underachieving boys. We must start to meet this
challenge with tailored solutions that build a sense of community and purpose.
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First, we must admit that we are not offering solutions that are working for
enough men. Men often avoid mental-health services, with one study in the
U.S. showing only around one in three service users being male. This may be
the result of gaps in service provision and a lack of tailored services for men in
distress. More troubling is the fact that the isolation many young men are
experiencing is leading them to turn toward other sources of guidance and
support online. Refuge is found in online forums or influencers, but the
content offered in many of these spaces and by certain individuals often
contains a faux empowerment message, fuelled by resentment and a troubling
mixture of dominance, materialism and even hostility toward women and
other groups in society.
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These men are often craving some direction and are grappling with real
struggles of identity and meaning. Young men need our support, and not our
dismissal. We owe the next generation of men a broader discussion of
masculinity, character-building and mental wellness, to ensure that we have
options for men to feel comfortable seeking help and finding community
offline.
We need to support and create alternative spaces and places where men –
young and old – can receive appropriate support. Fortunately, civil society is
starting to provide programs for struggling men based on traditional male
pursuits such as sports, physical fitness, wilderness activities and woodwork.
The hunting clubs of Germany are considered a cultural touchstone, and are
recognized as such by UNESCO, whereas in Canada these activities have
sometimes been demonized as bastions of “toxic masculinity.” Yet cadets,
veterans and serving military often refer to shooting as “range therapy,”
involving positive mental-wellness activities such as silent concentration,
controlled breathing and camaraderie with other men.
Similarly, the YMCA was created more than 180 years ago for men to find
meaning amid the move from an agrarian lifestyle to urban living. The Y
recently launched an effective campaign promoting itself as one of the
important “third places” that people need, even delivering mental-health
programming involving creative activities aimed at young men. Men’s Sheds
are another successful initiative that have been popping up in several parts of
the country. These are community-based buildings where men come together
to work on hands-on practical projects, often with the aim of improving the
local community. We must have more options like this for men experiencing
difficulty, as research indicates that these types of programs and activities can
reduce isolation and promote recovery.
Society faces a choice when it comes to men’s mental health. We can do
nothing, and see more men drop out of their communities and seek guidance
from questionable online sources. Or we can challenge the idea that social
initiatives drawing on traditional masculinity are outdated or toxic.
We can harness traditional male pursuits to build community and foster
meaningful supports. The path forward must be one that breaks the cycle of
isolation. We owe this to our sons, brothers and fathers.