Men's mental health focus of new Squamish health centre

A new men'shealth centre in Squamish, B.C.is trying to make it easier for men to ask for help with their mental health and addiction issues.

"We come from a culture where if I'm struggling with things I will justwhiteknuckleit, instead of accepting support from my community,"said ZacMcHugh, founder of the Change of Pace men's health centre.

Thefrontline support worker and Olympic weightlifting coach launchedChange of Pace to provide physical and emotional mentorship and coaching for men, toguide them to a healthier lifestyle.

"Every day I'mexposed to men with nowhere to go and nothing to do and nomentorshipor guidance," he said.

'I saw somebody I wanted to be'

McHugh says the idea of providing men with guidancegrew out of his ownexperiences; hisfather was a heroin addict and his mother's second husband was an alcoholic.

Growing up, he sufferedemotional, physicaland sexualabuse.

"Alot of my life Istruggled,and I struggled with addiction and could not find my place," he said.

But a male mentor turned his life around.

"I feel like we learn a lot from the men in our lives...I saw somebody I wanted to be," he said.

"Istarted exposing myself to healthier communities and teaching crossfit and yogaand weightlifting."

McHugh hopes the new program will help other men find their place in the world and move forward.

Change of Pace runs Wednesdays,Thursdays and Fridays at Rebel Fitness inSquamish. Anyone interested in findingout more can emailMcHugh directlyatzjmchugh@yahoo.com.

To hear the full interview listen to the audio labelledHelping men overcome the stigma of seeking helpwiththe CBC'sStephen QuinnonThe Early Edition.