Licensed counselor Anastasia Laariba Akalkamwai has made a passionate appeal for increased support for men’s mental health, emphasizing the urgent need to create safe spaces where men feel empowered to express their emotions and seek help.
In an interview on A1 Radio, Madam Akalkamwai shed light on the silent emotional struggles many men face, including stress, anxiety, loneliness, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts.
Despite facing these significant challenges, men rarely receive the emotional or psychological support they need due to deeply ingrained societal norms. She encouraged society to take the first step by letting men know that seeking help is not only normal but also healthy and courageous.
“We can start by encouraging them to seek help,” she said. “Let them know it’s okay to feel overwhelmed, to feel weak. They are human beings, and it is normal to seek help.”
One of the critical issues she highlighted is the influence of harmful masculine stereotypes. From childhood, boys are often socialized to suppress emotions and avoid displaying vulnerability.
This emotional repression frequently follows them into adulthood, manifesting as detachment, frustration, and a reluctance to seek support. Madam Akalkamwai stressed the need to reverse this narrative by nurturing emotionally intelligent boys who grow up knowing that seeking help is a strength rather than a weakness.
“Raising our male children, we should teach them that expressing emotions does not make them weak,” she emphasized. “It takes courage to say you need help. We must encourage boys, from a young age, to speak openly about their feelings.”
She also emphasized the importance of public figures and male role models in leading conversations around mental health. She noted that when well-known individuals talk about their mental health struggles, it helps others feel less alone and more encouraged to seek help themselves. According to her, seeing strong, respected men share their vulnerabilities can normalize emotional expression and reduce the stigma that surrounds men’s mental health. “When public figures speak openly about their struggles, others realize they are not alone. It gives them the confidence to speak up, knowing it is okay to feel and talk about emotions,” she explained.
Another major contributor to poor mental health among men, she said, is the overwhelming societal pressure to appear strong, provide for families, and remain emotionally stoic.
These expectations often lead to emotional exhaustion and burnout. Madam Akalkamwai called on families and communities to acknowledge this burden and be more intentional about providing support and easing the pressure. “We must be conscious of how overburdened men can become. As families and communities, we need to be more supportive and intentional about easing the pressures they face,” she urged.
She identified several warning signs of emotional distress in men, such as persistent anger or irritability, social withdrawal, physical fatigue, and chronic stress. These signs, she explained, are often overlooked or misinterpreted. To manage these challenges, she recommended practical coping strategies.
Engaging in regular physical activity can be particularly beneficial, as exercise helps to release endorphins—hormones that naturally elevate mood. “Physical activity helps to release what we call endorphins—natural mood enhancers. It really makes a difference,” she added.
Madam Akalkamwai also recommended planning daily activities as a way of introducing structure and reducing anxiety. She encouraged journaling as a method of processing thoughts and emotions, and pointed out the value of creative outlets such as music and poetry, which allow men to express themselves in healthy and constructive ways.
Above all, she emphasized the importance of seeking professional help when necessary. Families, she said, must educate themselves on mental health to better support their loved ones. Creating a culture of regularly checking in on male family members and fostering open conversations in communities are meaningful ways to build a supportive environment. She further advocated for increased male involvement in mental health advocacy, explaining that men often relate more comfortably when speaking to other men about personal struggles. “Men often open up more easily to fellow men. We need them to be part of the conversation—speaking to each other, breaking the silence,” she said.
In a heartfelt message, Madam Akalkamwai encouraged men to let go of societal expectations and embrace their humanity. She reminded them that emotions are not a sign of weakness, nor are they limited by gender. “Men, you are human. Emotions are not a sign of weakness—they are human experiences. Please, don’t hold it all in. We love you. We need you. Open up, seek help, and stay alive for yourselves and the people who care about you,” she concluded.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Ghana
