In this week’s edition of Healthy Naija Weekly, the spotlight is on a growing but often overlooked crisis: the mental health challenges Nigerian men face behind closed doors. While many carry the weight of expectations with an outward show of strength, a deeper look reveals that countless men are silently battling depression, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion—often masked by stoicism and silence.
The issue, though global, carries unique cultural undertones in Nigeria, where societal norms frequently equate masculinity with emotional suppression. From an early age, many boys are taught that “real men don’t cry” or that showing vulnerability is a sign of weakness. These harmful stereotypes not only prevent men from seeking help but also
push them into isolation, creating a ticking time bomb of unspoken trauma and unresolved stress.
Disturbingly, global health statistics show that suicide rates among men are nearly three times higher than those of women. Mental health experts warn that this gap is not because men are more vulnerable, but because they are less likely to talk about their emotional pain or seek professional assistance. In Nigeria, this silence is costing lives, families, and futures.
In light of this growing concern, the Federal Ministry of Health’s National Mental Health Programme is urging men across the country to prioritise their mental well-being. Support systems are not only available—they are essential. Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospitals are located across various states, offering confidential and professional care to those in need.
Mental health advocates are also calling on the media, faith-based institutions, and community leaders to help dismantle the stigma surrounding male mental health. Public awareness, they argue, must shift from ridicule and denial to empathy and action.
To every man navigating life’s pressures in silence, the message is clear: your mind matters. Your peace is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. It’s time to unlearn the myth of invincibility, remove the emotional mask, and reach out. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but a step toward genuine strength.