BC Council for Families

A UBC research study involving fathers in Vancouver and Prince George found that men with depression and suicidal thoughts benefit most from the support of their partner and family to keep them from further emotional health decline. In the study Researchers John Oliffe and John Ogrodniczuk looked at how men’s ideas of masculinity served or hindered them during bouts of severe depression.

“Support from friends and connecting to other things including spirituality is often the conduit to men seeking professional help to overcome the suicidal thoughts that can accompany severe depression” says lead author Oliffe, an associate professor in the UBC School of Nursing. Most participants in the study talked about their commitment to their roles as provider and protector of their family helping keep them working to get better. For some men however, keeping up a strong façade can lead to alcohol and substance abuse in an attempt to escape from emotional or mental pain.

Men die by suicide at least three times more than women although it is women who are diagnosed at twice the rate of men for depression.

• Men aged 20 – 29 have the highest rate of suicide.
• Statistics Canada reports that in 2003, the last year for which data is available, more than 2,900 men died by suicide.

Dr. Oliffe is also involved with a study on how fathers prevent injury in their children, headed by Dr. Mariana Brussoni, and supported by the Council and the Father Involvement Network of BC.