New London play sheds light on nuances of male mental health challenges

WARNING: This story contains discussion of suicide and may affect those impacted by it. 

A new play coming to a London theatre sheds light on the complexities of mental health among boys and men and aims to encourage conversations that destigmatize seeking help.

The play, titled Man Up, spans across different generations to discuss societal pressures and their influence on various mental health challenges men face and how that contributes to high rates of suicide among men. 

"It's 18 different stories looking at suicide from different vantage points, some are throughout history, some are contemporary, but we try to get a different angle on this very sensitive topic in each of the scenes," said Jason Rip, who co-wrote the play and stars in it.

"Men have a disturbingly high suicide rate compared to women, particularly in certain age groups. It's about men bottling things up and not sharing it with other people until it gets out of control, and not being in touch with their emotional side or looking at themselves as sensitive beings." 

According to Statistics Canada, suicide rates are approximately three times higher among men compared to women. In 2022, the Mental Health Commission of Canada found that 75 per cent of the estimated 4,000 suicide deaths that year were men. 

Suicide is also the second leading cause of death for men ages 15 to 39, the commission said. A study published in June by the Canadian Men's Health Foundation found that nearly half of men aged 19 to 29 are at risk of moderate to severe depression, with 57 per cent at risk of moderate to high anxiety. Gay, bisexual and racialized men are also at increased risk in both categories.  

The play, which  is sponsored by London Trauma Therapy, is co-written by Rip and Rachel Ganz and will have five shows featuring seven cast members, said artistic director John Pacheco. 

"[The play's name] is perfect, there's no other words to describe it because I know as a man growing up, I was told to 'man up' and not express my discontent, hurt and sorrow, and to just push that away and move on," he said. 

"For so long that's what I did. We need to have this play reach out to those people who are struggling."

The play has a personal meaning for Pacheco whose younger brother Tony took his own life in 2009. Tony, who was a musician by trade, recorded several songs before his death and in an effort to keep his memories alive, his music will be performed before each show's start, Pacheco said. 

Play explores 'grey areas' in mental health 

Among the two characters Rip plays, one is a "male rights pundit" who tackles harmful messages about masculinity, and the second is a man experiencing severe isolation.

Actor Dave Semple plays four different characters: a Catholic priest debating his beliefs about suicide, a grandfather who lost his wife, a tombstone engraver, and a father in the 1950s.

"It just sort of examines the 'manning up' and what our fathers told us and how as times change, sometimes what our fathers told us doesn't reconcile with the time that we're in," Semple said, calling it his favourite scene. 

The play has a lot of different flavours and highlights "grey zones" around mental health and suicide, Semple said, adding that it's theatre which, instead of being "fluffy and escapist," will make people reflect on the heavy topic.

"It's not always on the nose all the time about suicide, it's examining how men are perceived in today's society and how we perceive ourselves," he said. "Sometimes we can't get our heads around the changes happening and that causes us to feel inferior, and like we can't achieve those things society expects of us."

The play opens Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Manor Park Memorial Hall and will run until Sunday afternoon. 

If you or someone you know is struggling, here's where to get help:

• Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (phone), live chat counselling on the website.
• Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Find a 24-hour crisis centre.
• This guide from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines how to talk about suicide with someone you're worried about.