CMHA recognizes Men’s Mental Health Awareness Day

On June 15, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Simcoe County Branch joins organizations across
Canada in recognizing Men’s Mental Health Awareness Day. This annual event aims to
normalize conversations about mental health issues and reduce the stigma that often prevents
men from seeking help.
As with most of the population, Canadian men report the COVID-19 pandemic is taking its toll
on their mental health. New research funded by Movember Canada this year revealed more
than half (55 per cent) of Canadian men are experiencing poor well-being because of the
pandemic, and at least half said they believe living through the pandemic may have changed
their mental health forever.
Signs and symptoms of mental health conditions may present themselves differently in men.
Men are more likely to describe their mental health concerns as physical symptoms such as
headaches or chronic pain, which diagnostic tools tend to ignore. This link between signs of
mental health issues and physical symptoms is often unrecognized and leads to undiagnosed,
untreated men.
CMHA recognizes that societal pressures and stigma may make it difficult for men to seek help
for their mental health and addictions issues.
To show support for Men’s Mental Health Awareness Day, everyone is encouraged to
participate by using the #MensMHday hashtag on social media.