10/07/2026
🇨🇦 A concerning reality about boys and young men in Canada:
The mental health of young men in Canada has significantly worsened in recent years. According to official Health Canada data, between 2012 and 2022, the percentage of males aged 15–24 who rated their mental health as “very good” or “excellent” fell from 70% to 52%. During the same period, mood disorders increased from 11% to 16%, while generalized anxiety disorder increased from 4% to 10%.
At the same time, men are approximately three times more likely than women to die by su***de, and su***de remains one of the leading causes of death among Canadians aged 15–34.
Online gambling and sports betting are another growing concern. A study in Ontario found that emergency-room visits related to gambling disorders increased sharply following the expansion of online gambling, with the largest increases seen among young men.
The Government of Canada is taking this issue seriously and is developing its first national Men and Boys’ Health and Well-being Strategy, which is currently expected to be released in early 2027.
Maybe it’s time to teach boys and young men that having emotions is not weakness, asking for help is not failure, and they don’t have to deal with everything alone.
Sometimes, a simple conversation, a real friend, or even asking “Are you really okay?” can matter more than we realize. ❤️🇨🇦
