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As we close this week of conversation on unhealthy masculinity, we highlight the state and nature of men and mental health. #GenderTalk211 #SSOT
In high-income countries, three times as many men as women die by suicide?
The link is the health of our communities suffer with rising capitalism. The more individualistic society becomes, the lesser safe and deep connections are likely to happen.
The link is the health of our communities suffer with rising capitalism. The more individualistic society becomes, the lesser safe and deep connections are likely to happen.
Loneliness and pressure to survive amidst economic violence is a huge factor that explains male suicide. Coupled with the struggle to abide by the "rules of masculinity" men are at a crossroads to maintain what they've always known with developing a new masculinity.
It's not a mistake that men are more likely to under-report stress and depression. In Africa, aside from the language barrier and stigma of expressing excessive stress men face, it is the socialization they were given to measure their strength by the amount of pain they endure.
You may ask, so why can't men just open up if they're in pain? Why can't they just give in to a new way of doing things? The patriarchy has deep roots. Deep into our culture. It takes a struggle to let go of practise that has been turned into a tradition.
I advise men that we can't keep ignoring the barriers we face in talking to each other. If ever we dream of a better life, with healthier families and balanced communities, men must start communing emotionally beyond the mere stoicism they compete within.
Globally, more women live with depression than men - for the obvious reasons that on top of economic and political injustices, they suffer gender injustice. But men employ more risky behaviour as a way of dealing with their depression and mental health issues.
The message is, men need to come together to save themselves. To stop over-relying on women for emotional labour and face their emotions. Of course that will mean questioning everything about their identity, and by extension, questioning the systems in their countries.
We have to develop a language to express our feelings that does not involve violence, as men. Much of the turmoils we're facing in Africa are a result of egoistic male leaders refusing to look at other ways to lead because of the rigidity of patriarchy.
As long as we continue to do the same things, we'll live the same life. But deeper, the exposure of men to mental health conditions is also connected to the political health of a nation. If it's violent at the top, and patriarchy is at the helm, everyone suffers.
