A new study by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) reveals that Canadian men and women had the 6th highest suicide rate in 2019 out of the 33 countries examined in North, Central and South America. According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, of the estimated 4,000 suicide deaths in Canada each year, close to 75 per cent are men.
Men’s mental health is often overlooked and stigmatized, leading to lower rates of treatment and higher rates of suicide than women. Kevin Landry is a psychotherapist with Creating Connection Couples and Family Therapy in Timmins. He says that while men are approximately 3 times more likely to commit suicide than females, they are 3 or 4 times less likely to go to counselling or ask for help than females. However, public awareness campaigns appear to be changing the way we view men’s mental health.
“I grew up in Mississauga and I feel that with where I was mental health was talked about more often,” Kevin says. “There was an availability of resources and we had people who would come and do big talks about mental health both for men and females whereas in Timmins, there might be a bit more stigma associated with the culture. But I do see advances over the past 5 years I’ve been here.”
Cultural stigma remains the biggest barrier between men’s mental health and treatment. According to Kevin, Caucasians are the largest population reaching out for mental health services, but he adds that societal expectations can have as many negative impacts as cultural ones do.
“If the community that you’re raised in states that, “Hey – you have to man up. You have to deal with this. You can’t show emotion, you’re supposed to be a strong individual,” it definitely puts on this persona that you shouldn’t reach out for help, and you can deal with your problems on your own. And, sometimes that portrays the image that if you do reach out for help you’re not strong, you’re not a protector, you’re not the male image that is displayed on TV, some cultures, and individual mindsets as well.”
There’s no single cause for mental health illnesses but there are common risk factors or triggers including:
Environmental stressors: Losing a job or a loved one might trigger feelings of sadness and bleakness that can give way to depression.
Genetics: Men who already have a family history of depression are more likely to develop the condition than men who don’t.
Other medical conditions: Serious health conditions that are often difficult to live with or treat like cancer might cause depression in men.
Medication: The side effect of certain medications like corticosteroids, anticholinergics, and benzodiazepines could also be a contribution for triggering depression.
Symptoms of depression in men often look different than it does in women and men are often less likely to acknowledge or share feelings of sadness or hopelessness that are commonly associated with depression. Some common symptoms include:
Feelings of sadness
Irritability, anger, aggression
Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
Loss of focus on everyday activities
Suicidal thoughts
Consuming alcohol excessively
Working excessively
Behaving recklessly
Depression may also manifest in physical symptoms including:
Headaches
Physical pain
Weight loss
Insomnia
Sleeping excessively
Loss of appetite
Decreased libido
Symptoms vary from person to person and can last for weeks, months, or even years without proper treatment. Self awareness is key to knowing when it’s time to seek professional help and that is the strongest thing that any man can do.
“It isn’t a weakness,” Kevin says. “It’s a strength to know where you are with your mental health. You shouldn’t have that feeling that you’re not going to be accepted or will be viewed differently if you do reach out for mental health (treatment). At the end of the day, you’re going to know what you need best and that could be a variety of different resources and supports for your own wellbeing.”
The good news is that the message is getting out and mental health services for men – once unused – are seeing waiting lists. In February the federal government announced a plan to address four shared health priorities to improve integrated health care for Canadians: expanding access to family health services, including in rural and remote areas; supporting our health workers and reducing backlogs; improving access to quality mental health and substance use services; and modernizing the health care system with standardized health data and digital tools. Ottawa pledged $196.1 billion over 10 years, including $46.2 billion in new funding.
In a statement, MP Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and Associate Minister of Health said, “Mental health is health, and through this agreement in principle, we will be working with Ontario to integrate mental health and substance use care as a full and equal part of our universal health care system. This agreement will help to provide greater access to mental health services, reduce substance use harms, and lower stigma. Together, we must ensure that all Canadians have access to supports and services for their mental health and well-being – when they need them, wherever they need them.”
From the 705BLACKFLY.COM team:
We understand the impact that mental health can have on your life. Depression and anxiety can be paralyzing. We were struggling so badly with mental health issues that we chose to leave the city to move where we knew we could live a healthier life. You CAN take back your life and be happy. Reach out to friends and family who will support you, speak to your doctor, and believe in yourself. You are not alone. Kevin Landry summed it up perfectly at the end of our interview with him:
“You don’t want to work your whole life and then realize that you didn’t enjoy the life that you were meant to enjoy.”
If you or someone you know is in crisis, here are some resources that are available.
Canada Suicide Prevention Helpline (1-833-456-4566)
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (1 800 463-2338)
Crisis Services Canada (1-833-456-4566 or text 45645)
If you need immediate assistance call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.
