FST supports Men’s Helpline
November 18, 2025
Family Service Toronto is supporting implementation of a new Men’s Helpline that will provide resources and assist men who may be at risk of committing gender-based violence.
Funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) in partnership with the federal government under the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, the initiative will develop and implement preventative and early intervention services to address the unique challenges men face.
Men’s Counselling Link is a dedicated, non-judgmental and free counselling service offering support for men who are at risk of causing harm or who have exhibited harmful behaviour. The 24/7 phone line connects men to professional counsellors to help them deal with anger, relationship troubles or harmful behaviour before it escalates into crisis.
The service launched in early November through 211 Ontario and Family Service Ontario (FSO). FST is one of FSO’s 44 non-profit member agencies. Helpline professionals can refer men to virtual or in-person counselling offered through FSO agencies such as FST.
In Toronto, intimate partner violence against women and girls has been steadily rising every year since 2019, according to Statistics Canada. Last year, police received 11,454 reports compared to 8,887 in 2019. That same year, police received just over 3,000 reports from men and boys.
“We know men want help, but there is still a lot of shame around asking for it. They need a place that makes that ask easy,” stated FSO CEO Susan Somogyi in a news release. “Men don’t have to be in crisis to reach out,” she said. “They just need to want to do better for themselves and their families.”