New Laurentides Podcast Series Gives Men the Microphone on Mental Well-Being
The conversation around men’s mental health in the Laurentides is getting a meaningful new platform this week, as the CISSS des Laurentides launches a podcast series that invites men to speak openly about the pressures they face and the ways they cope with them. Released on November 19 to mark both International Men’s Day and the twelfth annual Quebec Men’s Health and Well-Being Day, the series is titled Éclaire-moi… La parole aux hommes. It aims to highlight the realities of masculine well-being through authentic conversations with men of different ages and backgrounds.
The initiative comes from the region’s Réseau d’éclaireurs en santé psychologique, a network that has been steadily expanding its outreach in recent years. By adding a podcast format, the CISSS des Laurentides hopes to reach men who may not seek support in traditional ways, yet are living with stress, emotional pressure, or a sense of isolation that often goes unspoken.
Throughout the episodes, participants open up about how they handle stress, what helps them decompress after demanding days, and how they build meaningful connections with other men. Many of them underscore the simple yet profound impact that talking to one another can have, especially at a time when many men still feel hesitant to express vulnerability.
The project is earning praise inside the organization itself. Benoît Major, the assistant president and CEO of the CISSS des Laurentides, described the episodes as honest and moving. He noted that the discussions provide a rare window into the emotional lives of men and serve as a reminder that conversations about mental health should never be limited by stigma. He also emphasized the innovative spirit of the Réseau d’éclaireurs, a group he credits with helping improve the psychological well-being of the Laurentides population.
The episodes are now available on the CISSS website under the Balados du CISSS des Laurentides section, and they can also be streamed on Spotify. The format is designed to be accessible, allowing listeners to tune in wherever they are, whether during a commute along Highway 15 or at home after a long day of work.
The timing of the launch is not accidental. Both International Men’s Day and Quebec’s annual day dedicated to male health aim to shed light on issues that men often keep to themselves. Mental health workers in the region say that many men wait too long before asking for help, either because they do not recognize the signs of stress fatigue or because they fear burdening those around them. Initiatives like this podcast, they argue, help normalize the idea that asking for support is not a weakness, but a strength.
For those who may need immediate guidance, the CISSS reminds the public that Info Social professionals are available at all hours through the 811 option 2 service. The line connects callers to qualified psychosocial workers who can offer support, information, and referrals, day or night.
By handing the microphone to men from different walks of life, the CISSS des Laurentides is attempting to expand the regional conversation about emotional health, community, and resilience. The voices captured in the podcast are varied, but the message they share is consistent. Speaking openly matters. Listening to one another matters too. For many men across the Laurentides, this new series may be the spark that encourages them to take that first step.