June is a month filled with celebration and reflection. Across Canada, we honour Pride Month, celebrate National Indigenous History Month, gather for Summer Solstice, and spend time with family during Father's Day. These important observances deserve recognition and celebration. Yet one conversation often receives far less attention: Men's Health and Men's Mental Health Awareness Month.
As an Indigenous business owner, mother, daughter, partner, and community member, I believe this conversation matters deeply.
This Father's Day holds special meaning for our family. It is a privilege to once again celebrate my partner, Cody Assu, and the incredible father he is to our children, Charlie and Ember. Watching him guide, support, and love our children reminds me that fatherhood is not simply about providing—it is about presence, connection, vulnerability, and care.
At the same time, I carry another perspective.
At fifteen, I am a daughter who has experienced the devastating impact of losing a father to mental health. Mental health struggles affect every community, every culture, and every generation. Too often, men are taught to carry their burdens quietly. They are encouraged to be strong, resilient, and self-reliant, while vulnerability is misunderstood as weakness.
The truth is that asking for help is one of the strongest things a person can do.
The State of Men's Mental Health in Canada
Recent Canadian research shows that men's mental health deserves greater attention:
• 64% of Canadian men report moderate-to-high levels of stress.
• Nearly one in four Canadian men (23%) are at risk of moderate-to-severe depression.
• One in two men are at risk of social isolation.
• 67% of Canadian men report never seeking professional mental health support.
• Men continue to experience higher rates of suicide than women in Canada.
These statistics are not simply numbers. They represent fathers, sons, brothers, partners, friends, coworkers, and community members.
Many men are struggling in silence.
This June, we have an opportunity to change that.
Checking In Matters
Sometimes the most meaningful act is also the simplest.
Send the text, make that phone call or listen over a cup of coffee because connection can save lives. Statistics Canada notes that strong social support networks are among the most important protective factors for mental well-being. When people feel connected, seen, and supported, they are more likely to seek help when they need it.
Small Daily Practices Create Big Change
At RavenSong and West Coast Wildflowers, wellness has always been about more than products.to reconnect with ourselves, our families, and our communities.
That is why I intentionally curate a wide range of trauma-informed books, mental health resources, guided journals, and wellness products through Ali's personal collection.
Whether it is lighting a candle at the end of a difficult day, soaking in bath salts after carrying stress for too long, spending time with a journal, or reading a book that helps us better understand our experiences, these small rituals matter.
Resources for Men in British Columbia and Across Canada
If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available.
Canada-Wide Resources
988 Suicide Crisis Helpline
Call or text 988
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Canadian Men's Health Foundation
Free mental health tools, education, and the MindFit Toolkit.
HeadsUpGuys
A leading Canadian resource developed through the University of British Columbia that supports men dealing with depression and mental health challenges.
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
Mental health information, community programs, and support services across Canada.
British Columbia Resources
310 Mental Health Support
Call 310-6789 (no area code required in BC)
Available 24/7 for emotional support and mental health assistance.
KUU-US Crisis Line
1-800-588-8717
Indigenous-focused crisis support available throughout BC.
First Nations Health Authority
Mental wellness programs, cultural supports, and Indigenous healing resources.
Here2Talk
Free confidential mental health counselling and support available across BC.
Moving Forward Together
As we celebrate Pride, National Indigenous History Month, Summer Solstice, and Father's Day, let us also make space for conversations about men's health and mental health.
Let us remind the men in our lives that they do not have to carry everything alone. Let us challenge the stigma around vulnerability.
Let us celebrate strength not as silence, but as the courage to reach out, speak honestly, and seek support.
And let us continue building communities where wellness, connection, and healing belong to everyone. From our family to yours, happy Father's Day, happy Pride, and thank you for supporting Indigenous businesses that believe in community care, wellness, and meaningful connection.
Credible Canadian Sources for Men's Mental Health
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Canadian Men's Health Foundation 2025 Men's Mental Health Research — Found that 64% of Canadian men report moderate-to-high stress, 23% are at risk of moderate-to-severe depression, 50% are at risk of social isolation, and 67% have not sought professional mental health support.
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Statistics Canada: Men's Mental Health in Canada — Highlights the importance of social support and mental well-being among Canadian men.
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Statistics Canada: Statistical Checkup of Canadian Men's Health — Notes that men experience higher rates of suicide and preventable mortality than women in Canada.
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Government of Canada: Improving the Health of Men and Boys in Canada — National information on men's health, stigma reduction, and help-seeking.
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HeadsUpGuys — Evidence-based mental health resources for men, developed through the University of British Columbia.
