The Canadian men we hear from at MenTELL spend more waking hours at work than anywhere else. So when something is wrong, work is usually where it shows up first, and where they hide it longest. This is what we have heard about workplace mental health for Canadian men, what works, and where to find Canadian help fast.
The Canadian numbers behind men at work
Per the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation’s 2025 Canadian Men’s Health Study (Intensions Consulting, n=2,000), 64% of Canadian men report moderate-to-high stress, and nearly 2 in 3 have never used mental health services. The Mental Health Commission of Canada, alongside the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (CSA Z1003), has been raising the floor on workplace mental health for over a decade. Most workplaces still have a long way to go.
How men’s workplace stress shows up in Canada
Trades and resource sector
Long shifts, fly-in fly-out rotations, and physical wear-and-tear are an ordinary part of the job. Canadian men in oil and gas, construction, mining, agriculture and forestry tell us the harder thing is the silence in the truck on the way home.
First responders, public safety, and military
Cumulative exposure to traumatic events is a known driver of post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI). CIPSRT Canadian research shows PTSI rates among first responders are several times higher than the general population. We wrote about that in why PTSD Awareness Month matters for Canadian men.
Healthcare, education, and human services
The pandemic recovery period did not end on a calendar. The men we know in healthcare and teaching are still carrying institutional fatigue years later.
Tech, finance, and corporate Canada
Layoff cycles, performance review pressure, and remote isolation. The reflex is to outwork it. The cost is sleep, relationships, and eventually the body.
What actually helps men at work
Use the EFAP, on purpose
Most Canadian employers offer an Employee and Family Assistance Program. Most men do not use it. EFAPs are confidential, do not flag your name to HR, and typically cover several free counselling sessions. Ask your manager or HR for the number, or check your benefits portal.
Use the public Canadian doors
- ca/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>.
- 988 Talk Suicide Canada, free 24/7 by call or text at 988.
- HeadsUpGuys (UBC), men-specific self-checks and Canadian therapist directory at headsupguys.org.
- VAC Assistance Service for Veterans, 1-800-268-7708.
- Boots on the Ground for Canadian first responders.
- CMHF MindFit Toolkit, menshealthfoundation.ca.
Talk to one person, not a room
Men who told us their workplace conversations went well almost always started one-to-one. A driver. A site lead. A friend on the team. We wrote more about that in how we started real conversations with men in 2025.
Document, then ask
Most Canadian provinces have human rights and labour codes that protect mental health as a disability. If you need accommodation, document what you need and ask. Your local CMHA branch can walk you through your provincial rights.
For Canadian employers and managers
Make the EFAP visible, often
Once a year is not enough. Print the EFAP number on every site board, every payslip, every all-hands deck. Canadian men say repetition is what eventually unlocked the call.
Train at least one peer
Provincial CMHA branches and the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention run safeTALK and ASIST training. One trained peer per crew or department changes the air at work.
Connect to the National Standard
The National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (free PDF from CSA Group) gives Canadian employers a vetted framework. Use it.
Where MenTELL fits
If your workplace wants to lean into Men’s Mental Health Month, Men’s Mental Health Week (June 9 to 15), or Men’s Mental Health Awareness Day (June 13), our #BeTheFlare campaign gives every Canadian man a simple way to take part. Provincial guides are at Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Manitoba. Sources: Canadian Men’s Health Foundation 2025 Canadian Men’s Health Study (Intensions Consulting, n=2,000), Mental Health Commission of Canada, National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (CSA Z1003), CIPSRT, 988 Talk Suicide Canada.
