Mental illness takes a significant toll on your ability to function in any job. When you're a single mom and have the added pressure of being the sole breadwinner, depression, anxiety and PTSD can cripple your ability to cope.

Eight years ago, I didn't know much about depression. Seven years ago, I wanted nothing more than to escape it's pain, and I tried to take my own life. The worse part is, my story is not unique. I, like many men, found depression too hard to talk about. When I began to realize something more serious was going on with my health, I was too ashamed to admit I needed help. All over the world, boys learn that men don't cry, that men don't ask for help, and that real men don't need help anyway.

The Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) reports that rates of diabetes are disproportionately higher among low-income individuals and First Nations people, two demographics that also face high rates of food insecurity. It's easy to tell someone to "just eat healthier," but it is a lot more difficult to actually put into practice, especially if you can't afford it.

Few things matter more to a community, to a country, to a global society, than a child's health. Healthy children grow up to become healthy adults -- people who can create and contribute to the public good. Indeed, improving the health of a child is one of the greatest investments any society can make towards bettering its future.