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opinion: men are seeking help—our mental health system needs to meet their needs
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there are 1.3 million men over age 16 that have unmet mental health support needs. some have been unable to access support, while others have sought care without getting the help they need.
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“before i was in crisis, it was hard to be seen or to have anyone take it seriously.”
those words came from a 35-year-old man in manitoba who shared his experience with researchers at mental health research canada (mhrc). it was only when his situation became acute that he was finally able to find a doctor and access support. his experience underscores the importance of earlier intervention: no one should have to reach a crisis before the system responds.
for years, much of the emphasis on men’s mental health has focused on stigma, silence and encouraging them to reach out. stigma remains a real barrier, but it only tells part of the story. many men are already accessing mental health and substance use services. an equally important concern is whether the care they receive is responsive and effective enough to meet their needs.
movember is leading the push for a stronger response to men’s health in canada, supported by research from mhrc and the centre for addiction and mental health (camh). released in september, the movember-led report,
a system falling short: men’s experiences with mental health and substance use services in canada
, revealed where needs remain unmet and how services can improve. the report estimates that 1.3 million men over age 16, about one in eleven, have unmet mental health support needs. some have been unable to access support, while others have sought care without getting the help they need.
the problem does not end once care is accessed. movember’s research found that 54 per cent of men who sought care reported barriers to receiving effective care. further, only 26 per cent of those who were dissatisfied with their first healthcare encounter said they would actually seek help again, potentially closing the door to future outreach. that first experience influences future decisions about care.
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access alone is not enough.
we need services that respond effectively when men arrive, recognize different expressions of distress, provide appropriate follow-up and make continuity of care possible. men are not a single population. age, race, culture, geography, income and life circumstances shape their needs.
these findings point to the need for coordinated action across governments, including through canada’s first federal men and boys’ health and well-being strategy. the federal government should set measurable goals for reducing unmet need, improve our understanding of what happens after men enter care and support more responsive approaches to mental health services. it should also support earlier intervention and preventive measures. federal leadership can also help provinces and territories share what works and strengthen pathways to appropriate care.
canada has already invested time in understanding these challenges. the next step must be a substantive strategy, adopted quickly and backed by a commitment to implementation. success should not simply be measured by how many men enter the system, but by whether they receive appropriate care and whether that care meets their needs.
every november, canadians rally around men’s health, growing moustaches, raising funds and bringing conversations into the open that, not long ago, were too often left unspoken. that awareness matters, but it has also brought us to a point where we must look more closely at the care available to men when they need it.
the forthcoming strategy offers an opportunity to turn that understanding into meaningful improvements in care. its success will depend less on the commitments made on paper than on what changes in practice, particularly in how health systems reach men before a crisis, respond to their needs and keep them connected to support.
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the man in manitoba eventually found support. his experience is a reminder that behind every statistic is someone whose life could look very different if care came sooner. that is ultimately what meaningful progress should deliver, and what men and their families should be able to expect from this strategy.
catherine corriveau
is director, policy & advocacy at movember canada.
michael cooper
is vice-president, data and partnerships at mental health research canada.
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