University students, professor make space for men and boys to talk about mental health – CBC

Student-led initiative, Black barbershop help create welcoming places for men and boys to open up

Feb 10, 2025

Vaibhav Varma points to the Roman numerals tattooed on his bicep that read, “Oct. 26, 2006,” with the signature of his younger brother, Yash, layered on top of his birthday.

The ink is a reminder of and way to feel connected to Yash, who was 16 when he died by suicide in 2023.

“The fact that my brother was struggling this much, it was completely unexpected to everyone,” said Varma.

Statistics Canada data released in 2022 says suicide rates were approximately three times higher among men than women, and Varma, a 22-year-old student at the University of Manitoba, wants to make sure students like him aren’t suffering in silence.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/university-men-boys-mental-health-1.7451669