Health Minister Marjorie Michel says Canada needs to take action on men’s health, as she launched the first step toward a national strategy today.
The federal government is seeking feedback from people across the country, starting March 2.
Michel says the consultations are important to help the government understand the priorities as it looks to tackle the issues that lead men to poor health outcomes.
Data released by Movember Canada last summer shows men are three times more likely than women to die by suicide, and are less likely to ask doctors for help with a range of symptoms.
Movember has called for Canada to launch such a strategy, and is an independent partner in the work.
Michel made today’s announcement along with colleagues from other political parties, and says the issue is a non-partisan one.
Why not just provide mental health services to people regardless of gender? Why even bring gender into it?
Also, where is this data? Global unhelpfully, as usual, just says that it’s been released. Where? Why not link to it?https://movember.com/uploads/files/2025/The Real Face of Men’s Health Report 2025 - English Canada.pdf
Most of it is from statcan and the rest is from ngo’s, published papers and … the CDC?
This. Fix the problems, regardless of gender.
(Interestingly enough I’ve been accused of sexism or similar for suggesting the same thing when the genders are swapped. Interesting how things work)
I do think we need to make concerted efforts to address both types of gender-coded stigma that prevent men, women and nonbinary folks from seeking help with mental health. Phrases like “man up” or “you should just tough it out” for men, versus “don’t make a fuss” or “you’re being hysterical” for women are similarly harmful, but each deserve individual intervention, attention and care.
Yeah. It isn’t a zero sum game. Both genders need targeted approaches for our unique problems.
I was mostly referring to the upfront cost of seeking help or if there is help available it’s almost exclusively focused on substance use. I’m lucky in that I was able to find the help I needed at my uni but when I graduate I will no longer have access to it and I don’t know of any equivalent that isn’t privately owned.
*To add on, the health care centre I attended had many therapists and you would book a session with whomever would likely have things in common with you. So if you were a guy you would likely book a session with another guy as their would be more common ground there. Thus I don’t understand why they are focused on mens mental health, when anyone accessing mental health services would be able to book an appoinment with a professional that would suite their needs.
Of course this assumes these facilities are as diversely staffed as mine. Maybe the actual issue is that men aren’t able to get the help they need even if they have access or rather, can afford it.
Well, I think I’ve written more then the actual article now, so who knows.