October is Mens’ Mental Health Month
Treating mental health in Canadian men is an urgent national priority, with recent statistics revealing troubling trends in stress, depression, suicide, and societal barriers to care. Despite growing awareness, men continue to underutilize support services, leading to profound impacts on individuals, families, and communities.
Mental Health Statistics for Canadian Men
• Approximately 1 in 5 Canadians experiences a mental health issue each year, and by age 40, 50% will have or have had a mental illness.
• Major depression affects 5.4% of Canadians annually, while another 4.6% of Canadians live with anxiety disorders.
• Men account for close to 75% of the estimated 4,000 annual suicide deaths in Canada.
• In 2025, 64% of Canadian men reported moderate-to-high stress, and 23% were at risk of moderate-severe depression—the highest levels on record.
• Half of all men lack sufficient social support, with 67% never seeking professional mental health services.
• Among young men (ages 19–29), 88.9% report moderate-to-high stress, and 43% are at risk for moderate-to-severe depression.
The Real-World Impact
The consequences of untreated mental illness in men extend far beyond individuals. High suicide rates, substance use, lost productivity, and fractured relationships strain families and communities. Nearly 75,000 Canadian men died prematurely last year, with suicide and substance-related harm as leading factors.
Barriers to Treatment
Societal expectations around masculinity—stigmas against vulnerability, fear of appearing weak, and the tendency to mask emotional problems—strongly discourage men from seeking help. Most men’s mental health problems remain undiagnosed as a result.
Peer support, community programs, and national campaigns have started closing the gap by creating judgment-free zones and practical tools for men to access support
Why Treatment Matters
Early intervention in men’s mental health saves lives, improves careers, and strengthens communities. Men who receive support experience reduced psychological distress and lower rates of suicide, addiction, and chronic illness.
Destigmatizing mental health concerns and encouraging help-seeking are essential to curb this “silent epidemic.” The evidence is clear: addressing men’s mental health is not just important—it is lifesaving and transformative for everyone in Canada.
Evidence-based treatments for depression in men in Canada are guided by robust clinical standards and updated national guidelines, emphasizing both medical and psychosocial interventions. These approaches are tailored to men’s experiences and preferences to improve outcomes and engagement.
Recommended Treatments
Psychotherapy:
o Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most researched and effective psychotherapy for depression, helping men reframe negative thoughts and build healthier coping strategies. Unfortunately, this is often very difficult to find and access even in large centres.
o Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) focuses on improving relationships and communication and has demonstrated high adherence and effectiveness among men.
o Group Therapy and Male-tailored programs, such as “HeadsUpGuys” and “Man Therapy,” use peer support and gender-sensitive frameworks to improve symptoms, reduce stigma, and increase help-seeking.
o New research highlights the benefit of male-specific psychoeducation and interventions addressing masculinity-related barriers with promising results for effectiveness and adherence.
Medications:
o First-line pharmacological treatments typically include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Unfortunately, 50 to 70% of these medications cause sexual side effects in men. These include reduced libido, difficulty with arousal and erection, delayed or absent orgasm, and sometimes genital anaesthesia or muted orgasm. It is no wonder that most men do not stay on these medications for prolonged periods of time. We need research and development into more male appropriate anti-depressant medications.
o Alternative medications are sometimes considered for those who do not respond to initial drugs, with adjustments based on side effect profiles and symptom changes. Some men have pronounced improvement with resistant depression and PTSD with psilocybin (the active component of “magic mushrooms” in a microdosed protocol. Ketamine treatments are also beginning to be tried. We will see over time how these treatment options play out with evidence-based research.
Lifestyle Interventions:
Regular exercise, healthy sleep routines, healthy diets, while minimizing substance use, and with appropriate stress management strategies have strong supporting evidence and are often encouraged as adjuncts to therapy or medication. They are also crucial in improving both the lifespan and health spans in men.
Advanced Treatments:
o For treatment-resistant depression, options include brain stimulation techniques such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) have also been tried and can be effective in some cases.
o Integrated care, patient-centred plans, and collaboration with mental health specialists are emphasized in the latest guidelines.
CANMAT Treatment Guidelines
The CANMAT (Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments) 2024 guidelines recommend treating male depression using a personalized, evidence-based approach, emphasizing both the patient preferences and clinical severity. The following strategies are suggested for clinical practice:
Initial Treatment Selection
o Mild Depression: Offer psychotherapy (CBT or interpersonal therapy) as first-line if available and affordable, due to a lower risk profile than medications. Exercise may also be considered as monotherapy in mild cases.
o Moderate Depression: Either psychotherapy and/or pharmacotherapy (usually SSRIs, SNRIs or similar first-line antidepressants) may be chosen. Patient preference, accessibility, past treatment response, side effect profile and availability guide decisions. Combination therapy (medication plus psychotherapy) should be considered for better outcomes.
o Severe Depression: Initiate pharmacotherapy promptly. Once symptoms improve, add psychotherapy; combine treatments for optimal recovery. For severe cases with suicidality or psychosis, consider advanced biological therapies such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
Access and Support
Canadian programs usually offer flexible service options, including online therapy and peer support resources, specifically designed for men to address barriers to engagement and confidentiality concerns. The problem, as for many things in the Canadian system, is availability of treatment within an appropriate time frame. These are not problems that can languish on waiting lists for treatment. They need prompt assessment and treatment.
All treatments should be adapted to the severity of depression, individual needs, and preferences, starting with supported self-management and progressing to specialized therapies as needed. Consultations with healthcare professionals, particularly those with experience in men’s mental health, are strongly recommended to optimize outcomes. This is often a problem especially in more remote communities.
Canadian men have some access to a range of immediate mental health resources and crisis lines, many of which offer confidential, 24/7 support through phone, text, and online services. It is important that men know these numbers so they can help themselves or other friends or family members when the situation arises.
Monitoring and Safety
• When it comes to monitoring men, screening for substance use is especially important due to higher rates of co-occurring alcohol and drug issues.
• The most important aspect of monitoring men is for the ongoing monitoring for suicidality at every clinical encounter and responding quickly to any signs of increased risk. With 75% of all suicide deaths occurring in men this is a crucial issue.
National Crisis Lines
• 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 9-8-8 toll-free, 24 hours a day for immediate crisis support throughout Canada. Available in English and French, this line provides help for anyone in distress—not just those at risk of suicide.
• National Crisis Services: 1-833-456-4566—24/7 support for adults, with access to regional crisis lines for more localized help.
Provincial and Community Helplines
• 211: Call 2-1-1 from anywhere in Canada to connect immediately to mental health, addiction, and social services in your region.
• ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600—24/7 helpline for mental health, addiction, gambling, and crisis navigation in Ontario.
• Toronto Distress Centres: 416-408-4357 (or 408-HELP)—24/7 support for those in emotional distress or crisis in Toronto.
• Gerstein Crisis Centre: 416-929-5200—24/7 phone crisis support and mobile teams for adults in Toronto.
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (call) or text CONNECT to 686868—open 24/7 for young men and youth nationwide.
• Hope for Wellness Helpline: 1-855-242-3310—Indigenous-focused counselling available in multiple languages.
Men-Focused Mental Health Resources
• HeadsUpGuys: Comprehensive online self-checks, a directory of male-focused therapists, free courses, and a wide array of practical tips for men facing depression and suicidal thoughts.
• Canadian Men’s Health Foundation (MindFit Toolkit): Practical tools, expert content, and crisis hotline info designed specifically for Canadian men.
• MEN&: Confidential phone, chat, and online resources offered through their real-time helpline.
Emergency Services
• 911: For any life-threatening emergency, including severe mental health crises, call 911 for immediate assistance.
These resources are designed to overcome barriers men face in reaching out, providing non-judgmental support and connection to further care as needed. Access to these tools can be the first step toward treatment and recovery.
