'Men’s Sheds' are a growing global movement of informal social clubs for men to build friendships, learn new skills and help their communities.Ian Willms/The Globe and Mail
Rob Whitley is a professor in the Department of Psychiatry at McGill University. Erin O’Toole is president of ADIT North America and a former leader of the Opposition.
In the years since COVID-19 arrived, society has become far more comfortable talking about the isolation and stress felt during the pandemic’s lockdowns. In turn, this has led to more honest conversations about difficult and personal subjects, like depression and even suicide. However, there remains an uncomfortable, lingering challenge surrounding mental health that does not get the attention it deserves. Namely, how to respond to the unique mental-health needs of men and boys.
Research indicates that men and boys account for an inordinate amount of mental-health challenges in Canada. A recent study by the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation found that 50 per cent of men are experiencing social isolation, and that 64 per cent report moderate-to-high levels of stress. A Statistics Canada survey found that 17 per cent of men report poor or fair mental health. Yet men account for around 75 per cent of Canadian suicides, with more than 50 per week taking their own lives. Similarly, surveys reveal that men are more likely than women to have serious addiction issues, which is a factor in suicidality.
Many young males are struggling with education and employment, and these trends may only get more challenging in the future. One report states that 22 per cent of boys in Quebec do not graduate high school on time, linked to factors such as higher rates of ADHD, as well as a lack of tailored support and male role models for underachieving boys. We must start to meet this challenge with tailored solutions that build a sense of community and purpose.
First, we must admit that we are not offering solutions that are working for enough men. Men often avoid mental-health services, with one study in the U.S. showing only around one in three service users being male. This may be the result of gaps in service provision and a lack of tailored services for men in distress. More troubling is the fact that the isolation many young men are experiencing is leading them to turn toward other sources of guidance and support online. Refuge is found in online forums or influencers, but the content offered in many of these spaces and by certain individuals often contains a faux empowerment message, fuelled by resentment and a troubling mixture of dominance, materialism and even hostility toward women and other groups in society.
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These men are often craving some direction and are grappling with real struggles of identity and meaning. Young men need our support, and not our dismissal. We owe the next generation of men a broader discussion of masculinity, character-building and mental wellness, to ensure that we have options for men to feel comfortable seeking help and finding community offline.
We need to support and create alternative spaces and places where men – young and old – can receive appropriate support. Fortunately, civil society is starting to provide programs for struggling men based on traditional male pursuits such as sports, physical fitness, wilderness activities and woodwork. The hunting clubs of Germany are considered a cultural touchstone, and are recognized as such by UNESCO, whereas in Canada these activities have sometimes been demonized as bastions of “toxic masculinity.” Yet cadets, veterans and serving military often refer to shooting as “range therapy,” involving positive mental-wellness activities such as silent concentration, controlled breathing and camaraderie with other men.
Similarly, the YMCA was created more than 180 years ago for men to find meaning amid the move from an agrarian lifestyle to urban living. The Y recently launched an effective campaign promoting itself as one of the important “third places” that people need, even delivering mental-health programming involving creative activities aimed at young men. Men’s Sheds are another successful initiative that have been popping up in several parts of the country. These are community-based buildings where men come together to work on hands-on practical projects, often with the aim of improving the local community. We must have more options like this for men experiencing difficulty, as research indicates that these types of programs and activities can reduce isolation and promote recovery.
Society faces a choice when it comes to men’s mental health. We can do nothing, and see more men drop out of their communities and seek guidance from questionable online sources. Or we can challenge the idea that social initiatives drawing on traditional masculinity are outdated or toxic.
We can harness traditional male pursuits to build community and foster meaningful supports. The path forward must be one that breaks the cycle of isolation. We owe this to our sons, brothers and fathers.