Mental health advocates have called for stronger support systems, emotional awareness, and early intervention for men dealing with depression and related challenges.
Speaking during a panel session at the just-concluded 2025 Fight for Life Men’s Mental Health Conference, they agreed that addressing men’s mental health is a societal responsibility that will strengthen families and reduce the burden of untreated mental illness.
Cross-Cultural Creator and Fashion Curator Emmanuel Effiong-Bright stated that cultural conditioning continues to cause men to hide their struggles, often to their detriment.
He explained that society has repeatedly positioned men as lone problem-solvers, discouraging vulnerability and help-seeking, warning that some coping mechanisms can become harmful if not addressed early.
“What keeps you afloat can actually sink you,” he said, adding that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
He urged men to embrace support systems similar to the ones women have built through conferences and group networks.
Also speaking, Video Editor and Director Ajiva Lubem, highlighted the connection between addiction and depression, stressing that addressing addiction requires understanding its root causes rather than focusing solely on the behaviour.
Drawing from personal experience, Lubem said childhood rejection and persistent comparison led him into drug use as an escape from low self-esteem. “For many men, drugs, gambling, or even relationships become a means of escape,” he said.
Now a father, Lubem said he is committed to raising his child with empathy, understanding personality differences, and learning modern parenting methods.
He emphasised the need for parents to educate themselves on how to raise emotionally healthy children.
On his part, Co-host and Communications Strategist, Oluwaseun Dawodu, underscored the importance of emotional vocabulary in improving men’s mental health.
He noted that many men struggle to articulate how they feel, often using generic labels like “angry” or “tired,” which do not help address underlying issues.
He encouraged men to describe their emotions in full sentences and ask deeper questions to identify the true cause of their discomfort.
“Proper naming helps in proper healing,” he said.
