Researchers at Brandon University are studying the stress experienced by men in western Manitoba.
Completed suicide rates on the Prairies are the highest in Canada outside the Territorial North and are higher among men than women.
Project lead Rachel Herron says they are working with community partners to expand current understandings of men’s mental health.
“We want to work directly with the people who take the information we gather and put it into action. So we work with people like the farm rural and northern support services, for example, to tell them what we think they could do better. We work with other community organizations who might support men who are experiencing various health issues.”
Men tend to be less likely to seek formal service. So they are looking to understand what is needed and the best way men can reach out.
Herron says they are looking for men who are 18 years or older. “You self-identify as experiencing stress or feeling low. Then we’re looking to talk to you one-on-one in an interview. At a time and place that works for you, where you feel comfortable talking about it.”
“Initiatives such as the recent Let’s Talk campaign and Movember have helped to bring mental health and wellness into the public eye, but we also need to understand the challenges and stress men face in the region to provide better support to them and their families. We need to know what is getting in the way of their health.”
Anyone interested in participating in the project can contact Herron at 204-727-9771 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
