As Canada looks more closely at the distinct health challenges facing men and boys, our data point to the need for earlier, evidence-based mental health support, and for systems that make it easier to seek help when it is needed.

Key findings include:

Stigma and Disengagement

• One in three (33%) young men view mental health challenges as a sign of weakness.

• More than four in 10 young men (44%) who need help don't access care, and among those who do, nearly half (49%) disengage earlier than planned or before their needs are fully met.

Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms

• Young men are three to four times more likely to indicate problematic substance use, and 12 times more likely to indicate problematic gambling behaviours compared to those older than 55.

• Young men are also 5x more likely to watch pornography to cope.

Impact on Equity-seeking young men

• 2SLGBTQI+ youth are twice as likely to seek out support. At the same time, they are twice as likely to say they needed help but didn't access it.

• Racialized young men are less likely to turn to family and friends when struggling (54% vs 68% for non-racialized groups) and more likely to talk to no one (29% vs 15% for non-racialized groups).

• Young men who are new to Canada are more likely to view seeking mental health support as a personal weakness (50% compared with 34% whose parents were immigrants and 28% who are at least second-generation Canadians).