For reasons not widely known, the month of June is recognised as men’s mental health month.
And yet, many of us men aren’t even aware of it, let alone talk about it.
The truth is, issues like anxiety, stress and depression are real, and they are affecting more men than we think.
But first we need to understand what mental health is.
Mental health refers to a person’s emotional, psychological and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel and behave.
It also influences how we handle stress, relate to others and make decisions.
It impacts every stage of life, from childhood to adulthood.
Good mental health doesn’t mean you are always happy or never experience stress.
It means you can manage life’s ups and downs, maintain healthy relationships and function effectively in daily activities.
Often, we men are the reason for our own breakdowns. We take on too much. We try to be the heroes.
We show up for everyone and everything, even when it drains us. We push ourselves beyond the limit, believing it is strength. But in doing so, we ignore our own emotional and mental well-being.
Let me share two short but real stories: PC was a hard-working man.
He had a full-time job and still hustled on the side to make more money.
He was chasing success, money, a better life, but at the cost of his health.
The pressure, pace and weight of everything eventually broke him. He collapsed, was admitted to the hospital, he is now paralysed, using a wheelchair.
NC had been with his girlfriend for seven years. He loved her and was ready to marry her. When he went to ask for his parents’ blessing, they said no. Just like that, everything he had envisioned for his future collapsed.
The stress consumed him. It drove him into depression, and now he needs medication just to make it through the day.
These are just two examples, but there are countless more like them.
The reality is, life is hard and for many men, coping with emotional challenges isn’t something we are taught. We are expected to ‘man up’, to be strong, to keep quiet. But that silence can be deadly.
Statistically, men are more likely to die by suicide than women are.
We are often the perpetrators of gender-based violence. Many of these situations stem from unresolved emotional pain, unspoken struggles and a lack of tools to deal with matters of the heart and mind.
We need to change this. We need to normalise talking, seeking help and being vulnerable.
Anxiety disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, trauma and stress-related disorders are just a few of the many types of mental health challenges people face every day. The reality is, many of us go through these struggles without even realising what’s happening.
We might feel overwhelmed, disconnected or emotionally exhausted, yet we brush it off as stress, tiredness or just a ‘bad day’.
The first step to healing is awareness. When we recognise the signs and understand what we are dealing with, it becomes easier to seek help and begin the journey towards recovery.
Take, for example, someone named John. You might notice he’s drinking heavily every day, avoiding home, and isolating himself.
On the surface, it may look like bad habits, but often, these behaviours are symptoms of something deeper.
He could be running from unresolved trauma, grief, depression or anxiety. If left unaddressed, these kind of coping mechanisms can lead to serious consequences for both mental and physical health.
Mental illness does not discriminate. Whether you are rich or poor, black or white, highly educated or still finding your path – we are all human and we are all vulnerable. The good news is that with the right support, understanding and treatment, recovery is possible.
Gents, there’s no shame in reaching out; let us get the help we need.
Meneer_SK is an advocate for men’s grooming and all matters relating to men. Follow him on Instagram @Meneer_SK
