Key topics in men’s health at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton

As Men’s Health Week continues on Morning Live, Emily Vukovic visited St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton to highlight critical health topics affecting men, ranging from addiction and mental health to lung disease screening.

At the Youth Wellness Centre, Dr. Graham Berlin, a psychologist with St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, took Emily through a grounding exercise commonly used with clients. Dr. Berlin discussed how gender norms and societal expectations of masculinity impact young men’s mental health. The discussion focused on groups facing heightened systemic barriers—including trans men, gay and queer men, and Indigenous youth—and how the Youth Wellness Centre provides tailored support to meet their needs.

Emily also toured the respiratory rehab clinic at the Charlton campus, participating in a brief cardio exercise before having her lung capacity and breathing tested by the rehab team. Dr. Christian Finley, Thoracic Surgeon at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and Co-Chair of the Canadian Lung Cancer Action Plan, spoke about lung cancer risks in men. He highlighted the Ontario Lung Screen Program offered at St. Joe’s, stressing the critical role early detection and intervention play in improving health outcomes.

At the West 5th campus, Emily visited the mock research bar to speak with Dr. James MacKillop, Director of the Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. Dr. MacKillop discussed key factors currently influencing men’s mental health and their relationship to addiction. He also shared how the mock research bar environment helps researchers understand how natural settings influence care and treatment.