The lies we tell ourselves aren’t helping. “Oh, it’s probably nothing”, “I’m fine”, “All good, just a bit tired”. Too often, it’s either the fear of exaggerating the ‘Man Cold’, even when we feel like garbage, or being worried that we’ll be judged for opening up about our feelings, men just don’t talk about it.

The Canadian Men’s Health Foundation (CMHF) has launched the latest edition of the Men’s Health Checklist–a free, medically-reviewed list designed to help men and their families stay up to date on early detection tests and screens, including mental health assessment, which is a great reminder that it’s always ok to ask for help, and can be done discreetly with a professional if needed. 

Download the checklist or print it out here: MensHealthFoundation.ca

via Press Release: The interactive digital checklist covers 21 important health tests, exams, screens and vaccines in one trackable list, with recommendations on how often, and at what age to get them. A mental health self-assessment checklist focused on chronic stress and anxiety is among the latest new features of the resource.

Cancer and heart disease are the two leading causes of death in Canadian men, with type 2 diabetes also landing in the top 10. In 2022 alone, it was estimated that 121,100 Canadian men would be diagnosed with cancer and 45,100 men would die from cancer.

“Whether it’s related to work, family or other responsibilities, men often look the other way when it comes to their mental and physical health,” says TC Carling, CMHF President & CEO. “At CMHF we are focused on creating simple, medically-backed tools and resources, like the Men’s Health Checklist, that make it easier for men to prioritize their health.”

In the lead-up to International Men’s Day on November 19, former NHL defenceman and Hockey Night in Canada Broadcaster Kevin Bieksa joined CMHF in their newest Don’t Change Much podcast episode to discuss the importance of men staying on top of their health. 

“Taking care of yourself physically helps make taking care of yourself mentally a little bit easier,” said Bieksa. “If you’re going to prolong your life and be healthy, you’re going to need help. Being proactive and getting ahead of everything is a great place to start.”

The Men’s Health Checklist is available for download now at menshealthfoundation.ca.

The 2022 edition of the Men’s Health Checklist is proudly supported by the DB Perks Group and Centaur Products Inc.