Men’s Mental Health Awareness: How toxic masculinity stops men from speaking up
June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, a time when we are finally talking about what so many men carry in silence.
For far too long, boys have been told ‘men do not cry’ or ‘man up’, so many men now wear calm façades, saying everything is fine even when it is not.
This internalisation often results in men remaining silent until their distress becomes overwhelming. But it is time to turn that silence into conversation, because it is clear that what is unspoken can be deadly.
According to the Kenya Red Cross report, 40 per cent of men have never discussed their mental health. While one in ten men experiences depression or anxiety, less than half receive treatment.
Understanding toxic masculinity
Toxic masculinity is a set of harmful norms that praise self-reliance and emotional control, teaching men that expressing feelings is weak.
Here is how it keeps men from speaking up.
- Emotional suppression
From a young age, boys are told that showing emotions like sadness or fear is unmanly.
Imagine feeling anxious or overwhelmed but never letting it show; that constant mask of strength builds invisible pressure, often leading to depression, isolation, or frustration.
- Fear of seeking help
Many men influenced by toxic masculinity avoid discussing their mental health issues due to fear of judgement, believing that seeking therapy or confiding in others is a sign of weakness.
This stigma often leaves them facing serious emotional challenges alone.
- Unhealthy copying mechanism
Toxic masculinity often channels emotional discomfort into aggression, making anger the only socially acceptable emotion for men.
This can manifest in substance abuse, hostility, or risky behaviours, masking deeper emotional distress.
- Self-reliance
The idea that men must always handle things alone stops them from admitting struggles, whether at work, in relationships, or in health, leading to burnout and isolation.
Breaking the silence
This Men’s Mental Health Month, it’s time to rewrite the script; men should support one another, engage in open conversations about their struggles, and embrace vulnerability.
If you are a man reading this, hear me out: it takes real strength to say, ‘I am not doing great.’ It is not a weakness but honesty, and it is okay not to be okay.
And if your fellow man opens up to you, offer them something simple: your ear, your time, your presence, no lecture, no judgement, no making fun, just a genuine listening. Saying, ‘I am here with you’ is the bravest thing either of you can do.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article are the writer’s. They do not necessarily reflect views of K24 Digital or Mediamax Network Limited.
