Despite growing awareness, many men continue to suffer in silence with mental health challenges, but an event on Wednesday night intends to change that.
June is Men's Mental Health Month, and the Canadian Mental Health Association Windsor-Essex County Branch is bringing men together with community leaders and advocates at the Walkerville Brewery. The event, dubbed "Cut the Sh#t," starts at 5 p.m.
The $25 admission fee includes pizza and a beverage.
"Men's Mental Health Month is an important opportunity to shine the light on the unique challenges men face and to remind them that seeking support is a sign of strength," said Kim Willis, the director of communications and mental health promotion at CMHA WECB. "Cut the Sh#t is about having real conversations, eliminating stigma and creating a culture where men feel comfortable speaking openly about their mental health."
According to data from the Canadian Men's Health Foundation, 64 per cent of Canadian men report moderate to high levels of stress. Almost one in four are at risk of moderate to severe depression, and half are at risk of social isolation.
Sixty-seven per cent of men have never sought professional mental health help, while men account for three-quarters of suicide deaths in Canada. Men die by suicide at three times the rate compared to women.
At a time when Canadian men are reporting rising levels of stress, depression and social isolation, the event sends a simple but powerful message; it's okay to talk, and it's okay to ask for help.
