Senator Patrick Brazeau says he is pushing for a study into male and Indigenous suicide in the Senate as part of what he sees as “a new calling” for himself.

The senator, who pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman in 2015 and received an unconditional discharge later that year, said he doesn’t care about people who question whether he is credible and serious in addressing the issue in light of his past.

He told The West Block‘s Mercedes Stephenson his suicide attempt the following year gave him a new appreciation for the underlying issues that need to be tackled to help men and Indigenous Canadians battling mental health challenges.

“We as humans, we go through a lot of struggles and men, in particular, I believe because – I’m speaking for myself – I was taught to be strong, to be competitive. I was taught not to show emotion growing up, but then when I started having problems, I felt guilty and I felt ashamed to ask for help,” he said.

“And it’s only after many years of struggling that I did reach out for help and I got the help that I needed and I’m better today.”

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