The federal government is launching a national conversation on men’s and boys’ health, which will help develop Canada’s first Men and Boys’ Health Strategy.
The strategy, which will be released later in 2026, is being applauded by mental health advocates, who say it’s long overdue.
“I think that’s great, as it’s something that is much needed,” says Gary Brown, founder of the suicide awareness group Operation White Heart. “We suffer, too. The problem is we suffer in silence, and it shouldn’t be that way.”
According to the Government of Canada, suicide rates are three times higher among men compared to women. It is also the second leading cause of death for young Canadians aged 15 to 34.
Ottawa also says men are less likely than women to access primary care or preventive services, including health screening, and 65 per cent wait more than six days with symptoms before visiting a doctor.
Brown looks forward to offering his thoughts as part of the feedback period of the strategy’s development, adding it’s important for men to look after themselves so they can better care for the other people in their lives.
“So many guys don’t realize when someone right beside them is suffering,” says Brown. “They’re giving them hints that they are suffering, but they just put it off and say, ‘Suck it up, buttercup,’ right? We got to stop that stuff.”
Brown is especially focused on boys and young men, who he says should be taught the importance of recognizing their feelings and how to help themselves.
Registered Psychologist Dr. Simon Sherry welcomes the strategy, saying men have been reluctant to seek mental health support for too long.
He says the notions of men “having to be tough” and “deal with problems on their own” are a thing of the past.
“We have to knock down stigma in particular,” Sherry notes. “That stigma can be external, like organizations that make assumptions about what men should and should not do, but stigma can also very much be internalized. So, we need to pay attention to how people absorb notions of gender and masculinity as they get socialized, and clearly, there should still be room for tough-minded men who are also allowed to have feelings and to seek help when needed.”
Sherry points out, in some cases, men tend to isolate and turn to substances like alcohol to cope with their struggles.
“We need to work on tailored and customized mental health services for men and boys,” he says. “For example, men and boys will often appreciate a very practical approach where there’s problem-solving involved. You don’t have to talk endlessly about your feelings to get mental health help.”
Canadians can submit feedback to help develop the health strategy through online forms, which will be available from March 2 to June 1.
The federal government launched its Women’s Health Strategy in 1999.
