September is more than just another month
Why men’s mental health needs our full attention
Every September, Canada observes Suicide Prevention Month. For many of us, it is not just a date on the calendar. It is a time to pause, reflect, and recognize the very real struggles that men in our communities, our families, and even ourselves may face.
Globally, September 10 marks World Suicide Prevention Day, but here in Canada the entire month is dedicated to awareness. It is about breaking silence, building connection, and reminding every man that he does not have to carry his weight alone.
This is not a conversation for others. This is for us.
The reality for men in Canada
The numbers are sobering. In 2022, 4,850 people died by suicide in Canada, an average of 13 lives lost every single day. In early data from 2023, 4,447 deaths were reported. Behind each number is a son, a father, a brother, a friend.
For men, the picture is even more stark:
- Men account for about 75% of suicide deaths in Canada, per the Mental Health Commission of Canada citing the Public Health Agency of Canada
- Men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women
- Middle-aged men between 30 and 59 years make up more than half of those deaths
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Canadian men under 50
(Source: Government of Canada Health Infobase, HeadsUpGuys)
These are not just statistics. These are lives cut short, families left grieving, communities changed forever.
Why Suicide Prevention Month matters
When we talk about suicide, especially among men, we are talking about more than illness or crisis. We are talking about the weight of expectations. About what it means to be strong. About the pressure many of us feel to stay silent, to keep going no matter the cost.
Suicide Prevention Month gives us space to challenge that silence.
It reminds us that asking for help is not weakness. It reminds us that listening to each other matters. It reminds us that behind every tough exterior is a human being who deserves support, understanding, and care.
This month is not about providing answers. It is about opening doors. It is about making sure no man feels he has to go through this alone.
A Canadian issue that needs a Canadian response
Suicide does not discriminate, but we know some groups of men face higher risks. Indigenous men, for example, experience suicide rates several times higher than the national average, a legacy tied to systemic injustice and intergenerational trauma. Veterans and first responders also face disproportionate challenges, as shown in recent military suicide reports.
This is why we cannot look away. Suicide Prevention Month in Canada is not only about awareness. It is about responsibility. It is about making sure our country, our provinces, and our communities recognize the unique challenges men face and commit to supporting them.
Where we stand together
As men, we often feel pressure to carry burdens quietly. But the truth is, silence costs lives.
Suicide Prevention Month is a call to stand together. To say openly that men’s mental health matters. To acknowledge that pain is real. To remind each other that support is always out there, whether through a trusted friend, a family member, or a professional on the other end of the line.
In Canada today, immediate help is available:
- 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline, Call or text 988, available 24/7 in English and French (988.ca)
- Talk Suicide Canada, 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645 (talksuicide.ca)
- Hope for Wellness Helpline, 1-855-242-3310, with chat available for Indigenous Peoples (hopeforwellness.ca)
- Kids Help Phone, 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868 (kidshelpphone.ca)
No one is ever alone in this. Not this month, not any month.
Our commitment going forward
Suicide Prevention Month in Canada is more than awareness. It is about building a culture where men feel safe to speak, safe to struggle, and safe to reach for help.
We owe it to each other. We owe it to the men who are still here and to the men we have lost.
This September, let us remember: your life matters. Our lives matter. Together, we are stronger.
Today and every day, we as #MenTELLHealth.
Sincerely,
Zak I. Hussein
Founder of MenTELL.ca
Verified Canadian resources for men
If you are looking for further Canadian information beyond MenTELL, two trusted sources to bookmark are HeadsUpGuys, a free men’s depression resource built at the University of British Columbia, and the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation, the Canadian non, profit behind the 2025 Canadian Men’s Health Study and the Don’t Change Much platform.
If you, or a man you love, are in crisis, please call or text 9-8-8. Free. 24/7. Anywhere in Canada.
