Male students suffer in silence

Talent Mandaza

Mental health challenges among male students are increasingly becoming a serious concern due to stigma and societal expectations.

According to the World Health Organization (2021), men are significantly less likely to seek help for mental health issues.

This reluctance is often linked to deeply rooted cultural beliefs that often discourage emotional expression, crying or being open about emotional struggles is then viewed as a sign of weakness. A study conducted at the University of Zimbabwe revealed that male students frequently experienced anxiety and depression but were hesitant to access mental health services.

Fear of being labelled ‘weak’ remains a major barrier. In some situations, male student fear being mocked or labelled as mentally unstable.

The pressures contributing to these mental health struggles include academic demands including heavy work loads and pressure of examinations leave many students overwhelmed.

Financial constrains also play a significant role as students struggle with paying tuitions, accommodation and basic living expenses. There are also social pressures, which include maintaining relationships or keeping up with peer’s lifestyle.

Experts warn that when these challenges are left unaddressed, they can result in serious consequences as some students then turn to alcohol and substance abuse as a coping mechanism which then worsens their mental health and impairs decision making.

Some other students experience a decline in academic performance or even drop out of school altogether.

Tragically there have been a few cases where students have taken their own lives as reported by H-Metro on 21 August 2021 a case of Desire Mungoma a student at Great Zimbabwe University who committed suicide by ingesting poison after being dumped by his girlfriend and on 25August 2025 there were online reports on the death of Abraham Chabata a student at Chinhoyi University of Technology. He committed suicide at the university grounds and was reported to have been battling mental health issues.

These incidents then highlight the need for intervention and support systems within institutions.

Mental health advocates are calling for increased awareness and accessible support services on campuses, they are encouraged to provide free and confidential services and to actively increase awareness campaigns aimed at reducing stigma, particularly among men. There are also calls for the introduction of peer support programs, where students can share their experiences in safe and supportive environments sharing their experiences with others who understand their struggles.

Such initiatives are seen as critical in encouraging young men to open up without fear or judgement and can aid in normalizing conversations around mental health. As Zimbabwe continues to grapple with mental health challenges amongst its youth, education authorities and mental health professionals agree that changing attitudes is key. Encouraging open conversations and promoting healthy coping strategies could go a long way in helping male students manage stress levels and have balanced lives.

Talent Mandaza is a former Mighty Warriors Captain and now retired. She is currently pursuing an Honours Degree in Psychology with Great Zimbabwe.