Earlier this month, Canada and the world marked an eery anniversary: five years since the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic that changed lives overnight.
Now, five years later, we’re facing a different kind of challenge: an unprecedented U.S-Canada trade war that could result in the loss of up to one million Canadian jobs.
Politics and chronic stress
The on-and-off-again nature of the U.S. tariffs along with Donald Trump’s talk of making Canada “a 51st state” has increased anxiety levels among Canadians at a time when many are already anxious about how unaffordable life has become.
Recent studies show that exposure to political stress is linked with poorer physical and emotional health and most therapists report patients discuss politics in their sessions.
“In general, we know that chronic stress harms psychological well-being and physical well-being. It takes a toll on our bodies,” says Brett Ford, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Toronto who studies the link between emotions and political engagement.
“There’s a strong case to be made that for many people, politics is a form of chronic stress.”
Men don’t have to ‘tough it out’
While the impacts of the trade war are being widely felt among all Canadians, the sectors most targeted – automotive, steel, aluminum and machinery – are made up mostly of men.
Partially rooted in social norms of having to be ‘stoic’ and hide their emotions, men are less likely to seek help during challenging times. Men account for only 30 per cent of people accessing mental health services in Canada.
While women are three times more likely to attempt suicide, 75 per cent of suicide deaths in Canada are men.
Dr. David Kuhl is a professor at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia and CEO at Blueprint, a non-profit organization focused on men’s health and well-being.
As men journey through their lives, emotional awareness is key to demonstrating resilience, says Dr. Kuhl who holds a Doctor in Medicine. He points out that men and boys often struggle with expressing emotions that aren’t steeped in anger.
“Resilience requires men to understand what is going on inside of them. It requires them to reflect on their values, beliefs and identity,” says Dr. Kuhl.
His current research is focused on building resilience strategies for first responders like firefighters and police officers.
“Resilience is a skill set: it’s something you can learn throughout the life cycle,” says Dr. Kuhl. “As men and boys mature, they begin to realize that adversity isn’t all bad – that it can be channeled toward more positive outcomes in their lives.”
Dr. Kuhl draws on the analogy of the tree that becomes stronger as a result of withstanding strong winds. He says that a tree that isn’t able to weather strong winds isn’t resilient and will therefore likely collapse once a storm hits.
Three tips to stay strong during challenging times
If men want to become physically fit, they know what to do. The tools are obvious: gyms, personal trainers and run clubs, for example.
But how do men become emotionally fit? Here are three tips men can use to better address the emotions they’re feeling and to build resilience:
- Write it down: Get out an ol’ fashioned pen and paper and write down how you’re feeling on a regular basis. It doesn’t have to be long or complicated.
- Talk it out: Create safe spaces where your emotions can be openly discussed with those close to you.
- Build an “emotional gym”: Join a men’s group in your community. Groups like Men’s Shed offer a space to connect with other men, build friendships and get access to resources to build your resilience.
The bottom line: social bonds make strong men
“Just knowing that someone has your back makes you more resilient than not having that person on hand,” says Dr. Kuhl.
“This is a really important feature of resilience, including having a community of support where men can be honest with one another about their anxieties and what they’re grappling with in life.”
Dr. Kuhl says social isolation and the shame that accompanies it can be detrimental to men’s emotional and physical health. “Once there is shame involved, it’s like the key turning a lock that keeps men isolated,” he says.
“If social connection and reduction of social isolation can bring men into a community where they can be honest about their feelings, men’s anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation will subside.”
Our collective resilience as a country was on full display last month in Boston when Team Canada won the Four Nations face-off game in overtime, defeating Team USA.
The hockey tournament suddenly took on a more profound meaning for Canadians due to the ongoing threats to our economy and sovereignty posed by the Trump administration.
And for many men, Canada’s 3-2 win in overtime over our southern neighbour wasn’t simply about winning a hockey game – it was about far more. It symbolized that even when our backs are up against the wall in a seemingly losing battle, we’re still able to unite, fight hard and ultimately win.
Dr. Kuhl says the recent Team Canada game invited men to understand the value of coming together during a moment of collective anxiety. “We live in unprecedented times,” says Dr. Kuhl. “One hockey game isn’t going to change that reality for men, but it does reinforce the importance of social bonds when times get tough.”
If you’re struggling to navigate these challenging times, you’re not alone. Visit our MindFit Toolkit to take a free mental health assessment, explore advice from experts and access virtual counselling at no cost for men who qualify.
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