Sitka Project

What is it?

The Sitka Project is a grassroots movement that uses a small but powerful symbol — the Sitka hat — to build a quiet network of support for men’s mental health. It’s not about urging men to speak up; it’s about creating a culture where they don’t have to say anything to feel seen. The hat is a silent gesture that says: You’re not alone. I’ve got time if you need it. Whether spotted on a job site, in a coffee shop, or on a ferry, it’s a visual cue that someone cares. We’re not professionals — we’re just people trying to get others talking again, starting with one subtle connection at a time.

Why is it important?

In Canada, men die by suicide at nearly three times the rate of women*. In male-dominated industries like construction, 33% report poor mental health, and 64% wish their employers did more to support them**. These statistics represent real people — fathers, brothers, husbands, and friends — many of whom suffer in silence due to stigma, isolation, or lack of support. The Sitka Project exists to break that silence — not with pressure or performance, but with presence. Like the Sitka spruce tree, known for its quiet strength, this movement stands tall — not loudly, but steadily. It reminds us that even small, quiet gestures can shift culture and help someone feel less invisible.

How to get involved?

You can support the movement in several ways:

Wear the hat. It’s a simple act with deep meaning — a quiet signal to those around you that connection is possible, even without words.
Donate or contribute. As a grassroots project, we’re seeking support from health grants, donors, and community partners. Contributions don’t have to be financial — help with printing, hat production, distribution, or shared space makes a real difference.
Collaborate with us. We’re looking to partner with men’s health initiatives across Canada and beyond. The Sitka Project is not a replacement for therapy or formal care — it’s an entry point, a cultural shift, a visible way to say: we’re in this together.

*Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
**Statistics Canada

A Note About Sitka:

The Sitka Project was created after experiencing firsthand the isolation that comes when someone you love struggles in silence. Watching a former partner experience challenges with their mental health – and feeling powerless to help – taught me how devastating it can be when there’s no simple, stigma-free way for men to say, “I need to talk.” It’s not just the men themselves who suffer from this silence - it extends to their partners and children. The Sitka Project – offering men a simple, visual way to know that they aren’t alone - is deeply personal to me.

Inspired by the resilient Sitka spruce, these hats are that tool: a low-pressure signal that reads, “If you need to talk, I’m here.” No clinical labels. No heavy expectations. Just a quiet invitation to pause, nod, and begin a conversation that might otherwise never happen. It’s a quiet kind of community - men supporting men, simply by wearing a hat.

While this specific project focuses on men, I believe in building a broader culture of connection for everyone. My hope is that Sitka quietly opens the door to understanding and empathy for all. That it reminds people that they aren’t alone, and that there’s a community that cares. Because if one hat can start a conversation, and one conversation can change a life – then maybe we’re already changing the world, one quiet connection at a time.

- Carrie Parsons, Founder, West Coast Speaks Health Society.