Every year the Kids Help Phone hotline receives tens of thousands of calls from teenagers in distress, but only 20 per cent of those calls are from teenage boys, even though boys have a higher suicide rate than girls.
"We have in our minds the notion that we should be dealing with these problems ourselves," said 14-year-old student Richard Couture.
Angelo-James Insaidoo, also 14, said boys are expected to be "tough guys."
"We're scared to show our emotions and just show that we also have a soft side," he said.
To combat that issue, the Kids Help Phone is launching a new website specifically aimed at teenaged boys. Bro Talk was launched with testimonials from boys who have found help in dealing with their problems.
Alain Johnson, the clinical director of Kids Help Phone, said his goal is to reduce the taboo among young men about asking for help.
"We were able to come to this, we hope, this portal that will eventually reduce the stigma, or the taboo, that guys should not ask for help, and that if you ask for help you're not a real guy," he said.
Johnson said because boys wait longer before asking for help, often their level of distress will be higher once they finally come forward and they're trying to change that.
The Movember Foundation, a charity that wants to improve the lives of men, donated $3 million to help develop the website.
"What is at stake is really mental health globally, and more specifically we are taking about suicide. Suicide is a big problem among young men," said Alain Brunet, a clinical psychologist with the foundation.
The website is split into several different categories to focus on topics such as dating, sex, depression and bullying. There are interactive tools on the site, including games to help relieve stress.
People can also call 1-866-393-5933, and get live counseling from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m. Wednesday to Sunday.
