Good morning. Thank you, Chair. It's great to be with all of you today.
Right now, half of all young men in Canada are at risk of problem anger, and one in two is socially isolated. We need to come together as a country to make sure that all men in every community know they are not alone and that they have the support they need to live healthier lives.
The Canadian Men’s Health Foundation is one of the few organizations in this country that are purpose-built to reach men before a crisis. Our focus is primarily on young men under the age of 35. Now we are branding that and moving it to a younger age through partnerships. These boys and men face the highest risks and have access to the fewest supports.
We work with partners across the country, not just to conduct research but to move it into action. Everything we do is about translating what we learn into practice through clinical pathways and community-based programs that meet young men where they are.
Canada is currently developing its first national strategy on the health of men and boys, and I want to thank Minister Michel, her team and the team at Health Canada for their leadership on this file.
I'm going to outline our recommendations for you today, because this is a topic that should concern all parliamentarians.
First, when it comes to young men, the single biggest thing the government can do is focus on early intervention. We aren't reaching men early enough, and many men engage only at the point of crisis. For younger men, distress is driven less by chronic diseases and more by suicidal thoughts, substance use, injury and acute mental health challenges. This is all made worse by delayed help-seeking, social isolation, digital influences and the lack of connection.
Young men and boys need earlier, easier access to support in their schools, workplaces and communities and online. As Canada brings more young people into the skilled trades area to help build the country's future, we need to ensure that those young men have the support they need to succeed on the job and in their lives. They need places to talk, people to turn to and tools that meet them where they are. That includes stronger peer support in real-world settings, a national digital space that helps counter harmful online influences, and a coordinated approach in which we learn what's going on and adapt as we go. As such, our core recommendation is to invest in a national early intervention network that builds this capacity across the system.
Second, we recommend that the government designate fatherhood as a primary early intervention point. Men who become fathers are more open to health engagement then than they are at any other stage in their lives. Research consistently shows that engaged fathers produce measurably better outcomes for children in cognitive development, emotional regulation and long-term mental health. This is a critical intervention point that is supported by research.
Third, we recommend that the government address online radicalization as a public health emergency for young men. Our research shows that 67% of men aged 19 to 29 are at risk of social isolation, and screen time is a measurable driver of mental health deterioration in this population. Without credible, engaging alternatives, harmful ideologies and misogynistic online communities fill the void.
Finally, we recommend that the government invest in annual, nationally representative research on men's health. With regular tracking and reporting, we can build a clearer picture of what's working and make smarter decisions that improve outcomes for men and boys. The government's own consultation acknowledges that improved men's health could save $12.4 billion annually. A fully funded national strategy is an investment not just in men, but in families, communities, the workforce and our economy.
Canada needs to build its future. The evidence is in hand. The programs are proven. The need is urgent. It is up to all of us to come together.
Thank you for your time.