Young dude Nick Cholmsky, despite outward success, highkey battled depression and suicidal thoughts from middle school, feeling pressured to hide it because ‘being a man’ meant no weakness, periodt. This personal struggle, as he says, reflects a broader, ‘sketchy’ issue facing young men today.
According to a federal government report, the Mental Health of young men across the nation is on a serious decline. Between 2012 and 2022, self-reported mood disorders in men aged 15-24 jumped from 11% to 16%, and anxiety doubled from 4% to 10%. Even more alarming, those reporting ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ mental health plummeted from 70% to just 52%, straight up highlighting a crisis.
This mental health dip is linked to tragic outcomes: suicide is the second-leading cause of death for boys aged 15-34. Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel noted this ‘common problem everywhere,’ with men and boys ‘not feeling great’ and highkey anxious about their roles. She emphasized the duty of ministers to care for the entire population.
Key factors driving this decline include social isolation, heavy social media use, and online sports betting. The legalization of single-event sports betting, like in Ontario in 2022, has seen a huge rise in gambling addiction helpline calls. A report from the Institute for Clinical Evaluation Sciences (ICES) even showed emergency room visits for gambling disorders doubled since 2022, with young men often in psychological crises from losses. This ain’t no joke, it’s legit messing with lives.
The online ‘manosphere’ is also playing a particularly toxic role. Figures like Andrew Tate, known for ‘alpha male’ doctrines, and Braden Peters (Clavicular), who advocated extreme ‘looksmaxxing’ and was recently charged with rape, attract massive young male followings. This content, despite the influencers’ own legal issues, promotes harmful ideals of stoicism and physical extremity, which is straight up dangerous for impressionable minds.
John Oliffe, a prominent Canada research chair, warns the manosphere is ‘radicalizing young boys who don’t know where they fit,’ an issue exacerbated by pandemic lockdowns that pushed vulnerable teens into unregulated online spaces. This unchecked content, he stated, contains ‘a whole world of pain.’
Adam Kunder, a former firefighter, shared his personal mental health struggles, highlighting the societal pressure for men to ‘suppress depression or sadness or fear.’ He observed that evolving gender roles and discussions around ‘toxic masculinity’ have left many men confused about ‘what it means to be a man in today’s world.’ This societal shift is highkey a factor in the struggles.
Robert Whitley, a men’s health expert, identified a ‘crisis of mentorship,’ arguing that ‘traditional masculinity has been denigrated,’ leading to a vacuum of positive male role models. Data reveals a severe shortage: only 25% of Canadian elementary and high school teachers are men, and most volunteers in mentorship programs like Big Brothers and Big Sisters are women. This means many young men lack male guidance, which is, like, a huge deal.
In a promising move, the federal government will launch its first mental health strategy for boys and men by early 2027. This initiative plans to invest in ‘mentorship, peer support, sport and recreation,’ alongside ‘promoting healthy relationships, positive social norms and safer online environments.’ This is a step in the right direction, aiming to provide much-needed support for men who ‘don’t know how to ask for help.’ Both Cholmsky, recognized for his advocacy, and Kunder, who coaches other men, are already embodying this change, working to show others it’s ‘all OK,’ periodt.If you enjoyed this article, share it with your friends or leave us a comment!
Adrian Velk is a global affairs journalist focused on breaking news, geopolitics, and societal trends. With a sharp eye for detail and a commitment to accuracy, he delivers timely reporting that helps readers understand the fast-moving world around them. His work blends factual depth with clear storytelling, making complex events accessible to a broad audience.
