Appearing outwardly successful, Nick Cholmsky seemed like a typical teenager in Ottawa. He was active in basketball, had a social circle, and a strong family bond. However, internally, he battled deep depression that started in middle school and worsened by Grade 11. By the age of 16, he was grappling with thoughts of suicide.
Despite his escalating depression and anxiety, Cholmsky felt compelled to remain silent because he believed conforming to traditional male stereotypes meant suppressing negative emotions, fearing any display of vulnerability would bring shame upon him.
Reflecting now at 21, Cholmsky acknowledges that much of his demeanor was a façade, conforming to societal expectations of masculinity.
There’s a common problem everywhere and it’s how men and boys are feeling. And they are not feeling great.– Federal Health Minister Marjorie MichelÂ
Recent government data revealed a concerning decline in the mental well-being of young men since 2012. Between 2012 and 2022, the self-reported incidence of mood disorders among men aged 15 to 24 rose from 11% to 16%, while generalized anxiety disorder reports surged from 4% to 10%. Additionally, the percentage of men rating their mental health as “very good” or “excellent” plummeted from 70% to 52% over the same period.
Another study indicated that men are three times more likely than women to commit suicide, ranking as the second-leading cause of death for males aged 15 to 34, following unintentional injuries.
“There’s a common problem everywhere and it’s how men and boys are feeling. And they are not feeling great,” expressed federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel to CBC News.
“There is a lot of anxiety [about] their role as men and boys.”
Concerns Regarding Social Media and Gambling
Studies link men’s depression to various factors, primarily social isolation, excessive social media usage, and online sports betting.
Research from the Canadian Medical Association Journal shows a significant surge in young men seeking help for gambling addictions. (Notably, men are three times more likely than women to develop gambling issues, according to Health Canada.)
In 2021, Canada legalized single-event sports betting, with Ontario pioneering private company participation alongside government-regulated entities in 2022.
A recent report by the Institute for Clinical Evaluation Sciences (ICES) revealed a doubling in emergency room visits related to gambling disorders following the 2022 expansion, predominantly involving young men experiencing psychological distress like suicidal thoughts or psychosis due to gambling losses.
“The statistics on gambling didn’t come as a surprise to me,” remarked Cholmsky. “I witnessed middle school kids engaged in gambling.”
