Online Reporter
Tsenulo Moyo
IN A WORLD where conversations about mental health are gradually breaking free from the shadows, a significant shift is unfolding as society is awakening to the truth that men also bear the weight of emotional struggles.
As the narrative evolves, it becomes increasingly clear that mental health issues know no gender; men can be victims, and there is a need to cancel the stigma that has long silenced their voices.
In a ground breaking event dedicated to men’s mental health matters, Ayanda Foundation Trust is set to host a men’s mental health event in Bulawayo on 29 March 2025.
Running under the theme “strength and vulnerability”, the event is aimed at acknowledging that strength comes from the courage to express emotions, seek support and engage in self-care and love.
Some of the activities planned for the event are aerobics, discussion of topics surrounding men’s mental health matters, entertainment from music bands, cultural groups performances and poets.
The event’s targeted audience is men ranging from 18 to 60 years.
“The Trust drew its inspiration in organizing this event from realizing that men need help, they are depressed and are going through a lot because they are expected to provide at home whether they have anything or not,” said
Nontokozo Ncube (42), founder of Ayanda Foundation Trust. Ncube said most men grew up being surrounded by a lot of stigmas such as ‘men do not cry, they have to be strong, they have to think about others and forget about themselves’ which has made men not prioritize their mental health.
“With the theme “strength and vulnerability,” we are saying being vulnerable does not mean that you are weak. It's a sign of strength, not weakness. A man
must be allowed to cry, one should not suffer in silence,” she said.
“We are creating a space and platform where men feel empowered to discuss mental health openly and normaliSe seeking help by creating a safe space for men to discuss mental health matters without any fear of judgment,” Ncube said.
“A message to the Zimbabwean community is that let’s break the silence. Let’s encourage men to speak up about their struggles and create a culture of openness. To all men that are having suicidal thoughts, feeling lost, unappreciated, having no one to talk to and feeling as if the world is crushing down upon you, know that you are not alone. Seek help, you do not have to suffer in silence alone. Let us talk openly about the struggles that men face and that men go through,” Ncube said.
Looking into the future, she said the organisation plans to host more events tackling other ailing issues in society, such as drug awareness campaigns in schools.
Speaking at a gender-based violence concert last year, Thando Gwinji, team leader at Loziba movement, cited that gender-based violence was also now
having male victims, which has also been resulting in many men committing suicide.
In an interview, Doctor Francis Siziba, who is a community psychologist and behavioural scientist and also the Executive Director of World Mental Resilience programmes, said the African concept of masculinity has made men hide their pains and sorrows, but at the end of the day it results in them taking drastic measures such as suicide.
“Societal expectations are killing the men in the church, home and at work. Truly, there are some men who suffered back there as a boy because they were not supported; it was only the girl child only. Anything and everything can traumatise everyone; at the end of the day, someone sees suicide as an escapism.
“Lack of emotional support is a number one factor leading men to commit suicide; men are out there pretending to be happy while inside they are hurting compared to women who are open and share their problems,” he continued.
“The mental health-seeking behaviour is not there in men, education is lacking in terms of awareness to say you can talk to someone or a professional. It is not a crime for you to be vulnerable as a man,” Doctor Francis Siziba said.
Peter Tanyanyiwa