Online Reporter
Oliver Kazunga-Senior Reporter
MEN continue to suffer in silence due to lack of emotional support and recognition, leading to rising cases of stress-related breakdowns and even suicide, experts have warned.
Speaking during the inaugural Men’s Indaba organised by the Zimbabwe Newspapers Group in Harare last week, experts concurred that a number of factors, including financial instability, relationship and matrimonial issues have subjected men to suffering in silence.
The event, which ran under the theme, “Man up, Come Let’s Talk Men-to-Men,” focused on mental health, retirement planning, stress management — and the evolving roles of manhood in contemporary society.
Relationship and marriage expert Dr Reverend Tigere Nyamakawo said naturally men are not resilient to pressing issues that are often overlooked in the mainstream discourse.
He said due to lack of recognition for their efforts, particularly in a matrimonial set-up, most men have lost their self-esteem or confidence.
“Due to lack of recognition, this has created what we call ‘silent crisis’, which has negative repercussions. For example, if it’s at work, often the comment will be like although you possess the necessary qualifications, your competence has somehow gone below standard.
“Naturally, men are not strong and they easily succumb to mental pressure, therefore, we encourage men to disclose their problems even those issues perceived to be small — this will improve the state of their physical and mental well-being,” he said.
Speaking at the same occasion, social scientist and mental health expert from the National Employment Council for the Printing, Packaging and Newspaper Industry, Dr Daniel Mlambo, said: “To improve our physical and mental well-being, as men, let’s open up or seek counselling on those issues that affect our mental health.
“Keeping it to yourself at times leads to worst scenarios, where for example, one ends up taking his own life.”
The National Social Security Authority (NSSA) liaison officer, Mr Owen Nyabadza, highlighted that one of the major reasons leading to men succumbing to stress was financial instability, especially when nearing retirement age or after retirement.
In this light, he urged men to secure their future by investing in various income generating projects while still employed or upon retirement.
“Men are often taught to be strong — but strength is not just about muscle or silence in suffering, it is about planning and protecting your dignity as you age.
“And as NSSA, we offer social protection for example through our pension and other benefits scheme where the employer and the employee each contribute 4,5 percent of an insurable earning ceiling — and when an employee retires from work, he or she is entitled to social security through the pension and other benefits scheme,” he said.
“We also encourage men to venture into projects such as goat farming or poultry when they receive their pension from NSSA or other pension funds, to help them withstand the pressure that comes with financial instability when they are nearing retirement or have retired.”
Renowned clinical family therapist Dr Clayton Choga said among other various factors, poor men’s physical and mental well-being was contributory to divorce cases in Zimbabwe.
Official data indicate that Zimbabwe last year recorded a sharp rise in divorce cases with more than 3 200 cases against 2 149 in 2023.
Close to 30 percent of marriages are also said to be collapsing within the first five years, pointing to a significant social shift.
