Online Reporter
Dr Tendai Zuze
Health Matters
IN Zimbabwe, men are raised to be strong, quiet and dependable.
From a young age, many boys are told not to cry, not to complain and to “man up.”
As adults, they become providers, problem solvers and protectors. But in the process, many men suffer in silence.
Mental health problems in men are common, but often missed. Not because they are rare, but because they look different from what people expect.
When we think of depression, we imagine someone who is crying, withdrawn and openly sad. Many men do not present that way.
Instead, a man who is depressed may become short-tempered, easily irritated or constantly angry. He may drink more alcohol than usual. He may work excessively to avoid being at home. He may complain of headaches, chest pains, back pain or constant fatigue, yet all medical tests come back normal.
Some men stop enjoying things they once loved — football, church, social gatherings or spending time with family. Others become emotionally distant. They are physically present, but mentally absent. Sleep becomes disturbed. Either they cannot sleep, or they sleep too much but still feel tired.
In Zimbabwe, financial pressure is one of the biggest silent burdens. School fees, rent, groceries, medical bills and extended family responsibilities weigh heavily. When income is unstable or work is lost, many men feel they have failed. Instead of talking about it, they withdraw. Some turn to alcohol. Others become aggressive at home. Some quietly lose hope.
Anxiety in men may not look like fear. It may look like restlessness, constant worry about money, health or the future. It may show up as irritability or difficulty concentrating. A man may say he is “just stressed,” but the stress never seems to end.
Unfortunately, men are less likely to seek help. Many only come to the clinic when symptoms become severe — panic attacks, severe insomnia, high blood pressure that won’t settle, or physical symptoms with no clear cause.
Sometimes the first sign that something is very wrong is substance abuse, domestic conflict or even suicidal thoughts.
It is important to understand that mental illness is not weakness. It is not a lack of faith. It is not laziness. It is a health condition, just like diabetes or hypertension. And like those conditions, early treatment works better.
Families play a big role. If a husband, brother or father is constantly irritable, withdrawn, drinking more, or saying things like “I am tired of everything” or “My family would be better off without me,” these are warning signs. They should not be ignored.
Simple steps help. Encouraging open conversation. Reducing alcohol use. Regular exercise. Adequate sleep. Seeking counselling. In some cases, medication may be necessary and can be very effective.
As a country, we must change how we talk about men’s mental health. Strength is not silence. Strength is recognising when something is wrong and seeking help early.
A healthy man is not just one without physical disease. He is one who is emotionally balanced, able to cope with stress, and able to ask for support when needed.
For more on men’s mental health, contact [email protected]
