Supporting Men’s Mental Health Through Prevention, Policy, and Health Equity

By Christy Gendy

As we mark the end of Men’s Health Week, it’s critical to spotlight the unique and frequently overlooked challenges faced by men when it comes to mental health.

Despite the lack of open conversation, men continue to experience some of the highest rates of mental health-related harm in Canada. Men continue to account for three-quarters of all completed suicides, and many struggle with depression, substance use, and other conditions without ever receiving support. While stigma and reduced help-seeking remain as barriers, an equally significant issue is that mental health systems have not been designed to meet men’s needs even when they do seek help.

For many men, seeking mental health support doesn’t always feel accessible or even possible. Traditional models of care often focus on verbal expression and emotional vulnerability, which may not align with how some men experience and present distress. Signs like irritability, withdrawal, under or overworking are more common with men but are frequently overlooked, leading to missed opportunities for early intervention. 

Practical barriers also make it difficult for men to access care. Long working hours, rural isolation, financial limitations, and a lack of gender responsive care can all contribute to health system inaccessibility. These challenges are exacerbated for racialized men, 2SLGBTQ+ men, and those in male-dominated fields, who may face additional barriers to services and proper care.

Improving men’s mental health isn’t just about awareness — it’s about access, equity, and responsiveness. It’s about recognizing that one-size-fits-all mental health models of care do not work. Gender, identity, culture, and lived experiences intricately shape how individuals experience stress, seek support, communicate, and engage with supportive care.

At Gladiator, we believe supporting men’s mental health means that:

• Health providers and professionals provide gender-responsive services and culturally safe care for all communities that call Ontario home.

• Medical and nursing students learn how men with mental health challenges may present differently than women and respond better or worse to different therapeutic approaches and treatment modalities.

• Accessible and meaningful support is available in everyday life spaces: workplaces, schools, and communities.

• Preventative models of care and early intervention programs are properly funded by provincial and federal governments.

Mental health challenges don’t exist in isolation; they often contribute to problems in many areas of life, including legal problems. If you’ve been fired from work, treated differently, or have run into trouble with the law because of your mental health, Gladiator can help. 

At Gladiator, we advocate not just for your legal rights but also for policy and programming solutions on behalf of stakeholders. Ask us about our advocacy work if you are looking to influence policy or are seeking funding from the government. Call (647) 973 - 7759 or visit www.mygladiator.ca