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Men’s Health Month (June) may be coming to an end, but a leading heart disease researcher at 91��ܽ is sharing his personal story to keep men's mental health awareness in the spotlight.

Shrinking social networks and depression are dangerous bedfellows that increase men’s risk of heart disease and suicide. Research shows men who experience social isolation are 70 per cent more likely to experience early death and divorced men have even higher death rates than married men, due, in part, to social isolation and loneliness.

“Men are three to four times more likely to die by suicide than women at any age. I was almost one of those statistics,” says Scott Lear, health sciences professor and Pfizer/Heart & Stroke Foundation Chair in Cardiovascular Prevention Research. “After my separation and decades of not having the same type of social support as my wife, I found it hard to fill that void. I spent two and a half years on my own and it drove home how few, truly connected friends I had.”

Lear is available to speak about the intersection of social isolation, loneliness, depression and heart disease in men.

SFU expert available

SCOTT LEAR, professor, health sciences, Pfizer/Heart & Stroke Foundation Chair in Cardiovascular Prevention Research
salear@sfu.ca

Contact

ROBYN STUBBS, SFU Communications & Marketing 
604.376.0971 | robyn_stubbs@sfu.ca

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778.782.3210

ABOUT SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

91��ܽ a leading research university, advancing an inclusive and sustainable future. Over the past 60 years, SFU has been recognized among the top universities worldwide in providing a world-class education and working with communities and partners to develop and share knowledge for deeper understanding and meaningful impact. Committed to excellence in everything we do, SFU fosters innovation to address global challenges and continues to build a welcoming, inclusive community where everyone feels a sense of belonging. With campuses in British Columbia’s three largest cities—Burnaby, Surrey and Vancouver—SFU has ten faculties that deliver 368 undergraduate degree programs and 149 graduate degree programs for more than 37,000 students each year. The university boasts more than 200,000 alumni residing in 145+ countries.