How Can Society Support Men’s Mental Health?

By Emmanuel Magoola
Wellness Advocate & Digital Content Creator

Men’s mental health is increasingly emerging as a critical issue globally, and Uganda is no exception. Despite rising cases of depression, substance abuse, and suicide among men, mental wellness remains under-discussed and under-supported. A mix of cultural expectations, stigma, and limited access to care has created a mental health crisis hidden in plain sight.

So, how can society better support men—and change the story before it’s too late?

Normalize Vulnerability Among Men

From a young age, boys are often told to “man up,” pushing them to internalize pain and suppress emotions. This conditioning creates adults who find it difficult to talk about stress, sadness, or trauma.

To break this cycle, we must shift the narrative: being vulnerable does not mean being weak. Men need to know that expressing emotion and asking for help is healthy—and even brave. Conversations around mental wellness should be as normal as talking about physical health.

Example: In Kampala, 32-year-old James Kaggwa, a boda boda rider, shared during a local men’s support group how opening up about the grief of losing his wife helped him avoid turning to alcohol. “Talking saved me,” he said. “It made me feel human again.”

Use Influential Voices to Reduce Stigma

Media personalities, pastors, sports figures, and community leaders have the power to influence attitudes. When respected men speak openly about their struggles with mental health, they help normalize it for others.

Campaigns on radio, TV, and social media should feature real stories and conversations led by such individuals. This inspires others to recognize that they’re not alone—and that healing is possible.

Create Safe, Everyday Spaces for Mental Health Talk

Men often feel uncomfortable walking into a hospital for “mental health issues.” But what if the conversation started in places they already trust—like barbershops, churches, gyms, or taxi stages?

Hosting informal mental wellness discussions or peer support groups in these familiar spaces can bridge the gap between silence and support.

Teach Boys Emotional Intelligence Early

Prevention begins with education. Schools should teach boys how to identify, express, and manage emotions in healthy ways. Parents and guardians must also be mindful of how they respond to boys’ feelings—encouraging openness rather than punishing tears.

Investing in early emotional literacy will raise a generation of emotionally healthy men who are not afraid to speak up.

Act Before Crisis Hits

Often, mental health support is only considered after something has gone wrong—a suicide, violent outburst, or breakdown. But support should be proactive, not reactive.

Workplaces, churches, and schools can implement regular mental health check-ins, offer access to counsellors, and organize awareness activities long before any crisis emerges.

Leverage Community-Based Mental Health Solutions

In Uganda, organisations such as StrongMinds and TPO Uganda have pioneered successful community models where men can access group therapy and emotional support without stigma.

These programs prove that with the right tools and cultural sensitivity, even resource-limited settings can offer meaningful mental health care.

Challenges Specific to Uganda

Uganda still battles with deep-rooted stigma around mental illness. The association of psychiatric care with “madness” has kept many away from seeking help. Terms like “Butabika,” the name of Uganda’s national mental hospital, are often used derogatorily.

This fear of shame causes many men to suffer in silence. Changing this begins with education, cultural sensitivity, and support at the grassroots level.

Conclusion: A Collective Responsibility

Supporting men’s mental health is not a task for NGOs or doctors alone. It’s a collective responsibility. Parents, educators, religious leaders, media houses, and peers all have a role to play.

• Speak up.
• Create safe spaces.
• Act early.
• Challenge stigma.

As a society, we must affirm that mental strength includes emotional honesty, and that no one should walk through pain alone.

The future of men’s wellness depends on the actions we take today.