Reach Out NS aims to break down stigma around men’s mental health, encourage men to reach out for help, and link men in Nova Scotia to services and supports.
4 in 10
Nova Scotians experience mental health challenges.
Men who reach out for support – whether it’s from a family member, a friend or a mental health professional, or an online resource – find help for their mental health challenges.
There are many options for reaching out.
Browse the website to find mental health resources available in Nova Scotia, as well as community organizations to connect with.
Why are we
focused on men?
Men and women are equally likely to experience mental health challenges, however, men are less likely to reach out for help.
After traumatic experience such as violence, loss of loved ones, relationship breakdown, financial stress – it’s normal to experience mental, emotional, or physical challenges, but there is help available.
While we can’t always control what happens in life, we can take steps to care for our mental health. Reaching out for support is a strong first step toward feeling better.
When men get support they need, they have better overall long-term wellbeing including improved mental health, stronger relationships, and coping skills for life’s challenges.
When men’s mental health challenges go unaddressed, it can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms (such as alcohol or substance use), strained relationships, social isolation, family breakdowns, and work-related issues. Suicide rates are significantly higher among men, particularly in middle-aged and older demographics.
Men can feel pressure to appear strong, tough and self-reliant.
This makes it harder to recognize signs of poor mental health and reach out for support.
Empowering men to seek help creates a ripple effect to break down stigma.
Positive role models who value mental well-being can inspire younger generations of men to follow suit.
Men are diverse and their experiences and needs are not all the same.
Men who identify as Indigenous, 2SLGBTQ+, African Nova Scotian/of African descent and/or from racialized communities may be more likely to experience mental health challenges due to experiences of stigma, racism, discrimination, and homophobia.
Men can support their mental health by
focusing on protective factors.
Protective factors are things like:
- Having a support network
- Accessing mental health services
- Building effective coping and life skills
- Having a positive self-image and
- Feeling connected to your community and culture.
Building up these protective factors makes us more resilient. That means we’re able to navigate life’s challenges more easily, recover from setbacks faster, and focus on creating a healthier future.