Men’s Mental Health Awareness Day

Jun 10, 2025

The quiet crisis: why so many men feel alone

For years, loneliness was dismissed as a personal issue, like a fleeting feeling that could be easily shrugged off. But today, it’s being recognized for what it truly is: a public health concern with deep social roots. And when it comes to men, it’s also about stigma, silence and a culture that discourages vulnerability.

Across Canada, nearly 1 in 2 men say they feel socially isolated. Among men living alone, that number skyrockets to 73%. These numbers are warning signs of a broader crisis.

Loneliness isn’t simply about being alone. It’s about being disconnected from peers, from purpose, and even from support. And for many men, the systems they were told to rely on (think of things like stoicism, strength, self-sufficiency) have failed them when it matters most.

As the male mental health crisis deepens, loneliness is becoming both a symptom and a driver of despair. More men are reporting anxiety, depression and burnout, and many are doing it quietly. In Ontario, suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among men aged 15–29. Across Canada, men account for 75% of all suicide deaths. 

This June 13, on Men’s Mental Health Awareness Day, CMHA WW is joining a growing movement to change the conversation.

We’re no longer asking men to “tough it out.” We’re creating spaces where they can speak up, seek help, and be seen fully and without judgement. This means all men; including trans men, Two-Spirit people, non-binary folks who identify with manhood, and anyone who’s been told they need to “man up” just to be heard. Mental health belongs to everyone—so our approach must reflect the full spectrum of gender identity and lived experience.

A snapshot of men’s mental health in 2025

According to the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation’s most recent national survey, released May 29, 2025:

23%of men are at risk of moderate to severe depression

50% lack sufficient social support networks

And 67% have never sought professional mental health support

The findings are particularly concerning for younger men (ages 19–29), racialized men, and men living alone. All of whom reported higher rates of social isolation and lower rates of accessing care.