Men’s Health Month: Move for Your Mental Health
With summer officially here, we are looking forward to warmer days and longer nights. We hope you had the opportunity to take part in our first-ever Men’s Health Month this June and that you can keep some of the momentum going all summer long.
Move for Your Mental Health was a series of speaker events and workout videos to get men and their families talking, learning, and moving. Collectively, we achieved our highest engagement levels ever, reached more men and their families and together with our partners, we delivered content that positively impacted so many. If you took the Move Pledge, keep going, challenge your friends and make this summer about meaningful connections and activity.
Canadians Care About Men’s Mental Health
We want to thank our growing community for supporting us this Men’s Health Month. So many of you joined us for meaningful conversations, fun workouts, set your own move pledges, shared tips and resources, and helped us raise funds for men’s mental health services.
Our Impact numbers. Here’s what we achieved:
Canadians and people around the world reached
Digital interactions with our health messages
Video views for our speaker series and workouts
It’s clear from these numbers just how many of you care and want to support the mental wellbeing of Canadian men and their families. Together, we accomplished a lot.
Men’s Health Champions
This year, we were joined by many well-known Canadians, decorated TV and radio broadcasters, and health experts from the medical community who lent their voices to the campaign. Thanks to their incredible support, we were able to reach and help even more Canadians with our messages.
We’d like to give special shout outs this year to Kevin Bieksa, Trevor Linden, Kelly Hrudey, Kaitlin Jones, Simon Whitfield, Shea Emry, Tommy Europe, Dan Murphy, Buzz Bishop, Farhan Lalji, James Cybulski, Toby Hargrave, Dr. Melanie Badali, Dr. Gordon Asmundson, Dr. Robert Selles, and Dr. Maureen Whittal.
Partner Acknowledgments
In life, we can only go so far on our own, and we know we can’t accomplish our goals without the support of great partners. We acknowledge and thank all of our partners and supporters that made Men’s Health Month such a success. They are as committed as we are to helping spread the message of the importance of men talking about mental health issues and how moving for your mental health can help.
Men’s Mental Health Videos on Demand
Our speaker event series and workout videos are now available anytime on demand. In case you missed the Men’s Health Month events, here’s a recap:
01.
How to Start A Conversation About Mental Health
Featuring Kevin Bieksa, Dan Murphy, and Dr. Melanie Badali
Sportsnet’s Dan Murphy leads the conversation as former NHL defenseman and current Hockey Night in Canada studio analyst Kevin Bieksa discusses his close relationship with Rick Rypien during his struggles with mental health.
Joined by Anxiety Canada Board Director and Registered Psychologist Dr. Melanie Badali, we dive into how to start a conversation with men about mental health and support someone who confides in you about their mental health challenges.
02.
The Power of Movement
Featuring Trevor Linden, Simon Whitfield, James Cybulski, and Dr. Gordon Asmudson
Award-winning sports broadcaster James Cybulski leads the conversation about how exercise can help men’s mental health. Longtime NHL Player and Executive Trevor Linden and four-time Olympian Simon Whitfield talk about how they incorporate physical activity into their daily lives.
Joined by Anxiety Canada Scientific Committee Member and Registered Doctoral Psychologist Dr. Gordon Asmundson, we look at the scientific research and recommendations on using physical activity as a tool to manage stress and anxiety.
03.
Parenting with Anxiety
Featuring Kelly Hrudey, Kaitlin Jones, Buzz Bishop, and Dr. Robert Selles
Radio Broadcaster and CMHF Champion Buzz Bishop leads the conversation as Hockey Night in Canada Studio Analyst and Anxiety Canada Champion Kelly Hrudey and his daughter, Kaitlin Jones, share their experiences managing anxiety as a family.
Joined by Anxiety Canada Scientific Committee Member and Registered Psychologist Dr. Robert Selles, we dive into the recommendations and resources available for parenting a child with anxiety and how to parent with your own anxiety.
04.
How to Be Together While Apart
Featuring Shea Emry, Farhan Lalji, and Dr. Maureen Whittal
TSN National Reporter Farhan Lalji leads the conversation as former CFL All-Star Shea Emry shares some of his own experiences during the pandemic.
Joined by Anxiety Canada Scientific Committee Co-Chair and Psychologist Dr. Maureen Whittal, we dive into the recommendations and resources available for those struggling with feeling isolated or lonely and explore how to stay connected to friends and family.
Four Part Workout Series — led by CFL Champ Tommy Europe
Every Saturday in June, we premiered one of four 30-minute workout videos led by CFL champ Tommy Europe. This workout series was designed to get you moving no matter where you are in your fitness journey.
Men’s Health Month Today and Beyond
Move for Your Mental Health was CMHF’s first annual Men’s Health Month, building on the success of previous Men’s Health Weeks. We are dedicated to helping men and their families who have faced challenges with stress and anxiety
The pandemic has increased the daily stress and anxiety for countless families, and the impact on mental and physical health is profound. For many men, stress and anxiety are nothing new. However, the pandemic has created an opportunity to talk about it more openly. We want men to know that they’re not alone and that physical activity each day can improve their sense of wellbeing, helping them feel better.
Even though the pandemic will come to an end, men’s mental health struggles will not. We will strive to continue providing information to support men’s mental health in the coming months and years.
If you like what you saw this Men’s Health Month and you’d like to see us continue this important work, please consider donating. As a national, registered charity, we rely on the generosity and support of people like you. Remember to join us in June 2022 for the next annual Men’s Health Month.
Healthier Men Mean Stronger Families and Communities
Canadian Men’s Health Foundation
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