Stronger Together

June 9, 2025

Men’s Mental Health in Canada: Breaking the Silence, Rebuilding Hope

June is Men’s Mental Health Month, a time to shine a light on a silent crisis affecting millions of men across Canada. While strength, resilience, and stoicism have long been associated with masculinity, these same traits—when misunderstood—can lead to devastating outcomes when men feel they must suffer in silence.


The truth is: many men are hurting. And many don’t know where to turn.



The Silent Struggle


Every day, men across Ontario and Canada face immense pressure—expected to provide, protect, and persevere, often without ever being asked: “How are you holding up?”


Too many feel that acknowledging pain is a sign of weakness. But in reality, the refusal to speak up and seek help is costing lives.


According to the Canadian Mental Health Association and Statistics Canada:

  • 75% of suicides in Canada are men.
  • Suicide is the second leading cause of death for men under 50.
  • Men are less likely than women to reach out for mental health support, even when experiencing anxiety, depression, or trauma.


This isn’t because men don’t feel. It’s because many have been taught that feeling—and expressing it—isn’t part of being a man.


A New Definition of Strength

Strength is not silence. Strength is vulnerability.

It’s having the courage to say, “I’m not okay.”

It’s checking in on a friend. It’s calling for help.

It’s knowing that mental health is just as important as physical health.


In communities like those supported by the Oaks Revitalization Association (ORA) and across the skilled trades, this conversation is especially urgent. Tradespeople build our cities and shape our skylines—but many are quietly battling stress, burnout, addiction, or loneliness.


The nature of construction and skilled trades can be isolating. Long hours, physical strain, job insecurity, and the pressure to perform—combined with traditional masculine expectations—can all contribute to a mental health crisis that goes unspoken.


But this is also a community of incredible resilience and brotherhood—and it’s here that we can spark a powerful movement of change.


You’re Not Alone — Resources for Men in Ontario

No man should ever feel like there’s no one to talk to. Whether you’re struggling with depression, going through a divorce, facing work stress, or just not feeling like yourself—there is help. Here are just a few resources available across Ontario and online:


Crisis Support

  • 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 9-8-8 — 24/7, free and confidential.
  • 211 Ontario: Connects you to local mental health and community services.


Therapy & Peer Support

  • Men Therapy Toronto: Male-focused counselling and group sessions.
  • First Step Men’s Therapy: Online and in-person therapy across Ontario.
  • The Men’s Project (Ottawa): Specialized programs for trauma recovery and emotional support.
  • Canadian Centre for Men and Families: Offers peer support, legal aid, and fatherhood programs.


Online Tools

  • HeadsUpGuys: Self-check tools, recovery stories, and actionable mental health advice for men.
  • MindFit Toolkit (Canadian Men’s Health Foundation): A great starting point for managing stress, anxiety, and mood online.
  • Movember Conversations: Learn how to check in with a friend using their “ALEC” framework (Ask, Listen, Encourage Action, Check In).


A Message to All Men: You Matter

You are not broken.

You are not weak.

You are not alone.

You are human.


This Men’s Mental Health Month, let’s stop asking men to “man up”—and start creating spaces where they can open up. Let’s replace silence with support, stigma with understanding, and isolation with connection.


Because every man deserves to be heard, healed, and hopeful.



Need Help Now?

📞 9-8-8 (Call or Text Anytime)

💬 211 Ontario – Connect to local services

🌐 Visit: www.headsupguys.org | www.mindfit.ca

Share

Man in hoodie smiles, gestures while speaking in a room with a clear glass wall and person facing away.

Changing Lives from the Inside Out

October 13, 2025
We don’t simply prepare young men for the skilled trades, we prepare them for life. Every session is designed to challenge the way participants think, act, and see themselves. Through guided reflection, honest conversations, and real-world lessons, we help them dismantle negative thought patterns, rebuild self-belief,
Group of ten people stand in front of a building with a blue wall. Signs with writing are above the group.

Big day for our cohort!

October 10, 2025
Our clients took a powerful step forward in their journey, walking through the doors of LiUNA Local 183 Training Centre and meeting the training director and instructors for the very first time.
Hand wearing a glove smoothing mortar between a brick wall joint.

Building Futures, One Brick at a Time

October 6, 2025
At OPCMIA LOCAL 598 Training Centre, our clients are mastering the craft of masonry—a trade that demands focus, skill, and perseverance. With the foundation built in ORA’s Boot Camp and mentoring program, they’re now gaining the hands-on training that will lead them into strong, stable careers. 👏 Thank you to OPCMIA
Man taking an oath, raising hand in front of a Canadian flag, indoors.

Success Story: Justin’s Journey from Uncertainty to a Proud Career in the Canadian Armed Forces

August 14, 2025
When Justin first arrived in Canada, he carried with him the same hopes and dreams shared by so many newcomers — to build a better life, contribute to his new community, and create a future he could be proud of.
A group of construction workers are working on a construction site.

Built for results. Proven through ROI.

July 24, 2025
ORA is reshaping what workforce development looks like in Ontario. Through its flagship Skilled Trades Development Program (STDP).
The sun is shining through the windows of a building under construction.

The Builders Will Rise: A Message of Hope for Tradespeople Across the Nation

June 9, 2025
There is a quiet strength in those who build. The ones who rise before the sun, pull on their boots, and step out into the world to move earth, pour concrete, raise walls, wire homes, and lay the foundation of entire communities. These are our tradespeople — the unsung heroes who turn blueprints into skylines, who build what the rest of the world takes for granted.
A large canadian flag is waving in the wind over a city

The Challenge of Trump’s Tariffs: A Call for Canadian Resilience

March 14, 2025
The possibility of Donald Trump imposing tariffs on Canada, while understandably shocking to the Canadian psyche and incredibly damaging to our economy, must be met with a level-headed and resolute response. As difficult as this scenario may be, Canadians must acknowledge that America, like any sovereign nation, has the right to impose tariffs as it sees fit. One of the fundamental tenets of our teachings at ORA-STDP is that the world is not fair, and one should never expect it to be so. Expecting fairness is a fool’s errand; instead, we must focus on how we adapt, innovate, and overcome adversity.
A group of young men are posing for a picture while sitting on a bench.

New Cohort into Skilled Trades Training

March 4, 2025
At the Oaks Revitalization Association (ORA), we are committed to ensuring that every individual who enters our program is fully prepared for success. As part of this commitment, our latest cohort had the opportunity to meet with the Assistant Director of LiUNA Local 183 Training Centre for an in-depth briefing on their upcoming training and the benefits of being part of a unionized workforce.
A group of soldiers are sitting in front of a computer screen in a dark room.

Forge Your Future with the Canadian Armed Forces

February 11, 2025
The journey to an inspiring and successful future starts with a single decision. Imagine a career where honour, courage, and service define your everyday life. In the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), you are not just part of an organization—you are part of a proud legacy of leadership and excellence that shapes both individuals and nations.
A man in a military uniform is writing on a piece of paper

Canadian Armed Forces: A Pathway to Upward Mobility and National Pride

January 31, 2025
In an era where socio-economic challenges are increasingly prevalent, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) stand as a beacon of opportunity for young Canadians seeking a path to upward mobility.