The unspoken struggle: Men’s mental health in Zimbabwe

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

Imagine a society where men are told to “toughen up” and “be strong”, but in reality, they’re struggling to cope with depression, anxiety, and stress.

This is the harsh reality in Zimbabwe, where the suicide rate is alarmingly high, and men are suffering in silence.

We spoke with Hwange District Medical Officer Fungai Musinami, who shared a startling truth: “Men are more likely to successfully complete suicide attempts than women.

Dr Fungai Musinami

“There is this concept in our society that a real man doesn’t cry, doesn’t struggle, and has to be strong. But men also struggle with depression and anxiety, and we’ve seen men commit suicides due to financial and relational challenges.“

But why is this happening? Musinami explains, “Our society perpetuates a harmful narrative that men must be invincible. But the truth is, men are human too. They face financial pressures, relationship stress…just like women. And when they can’t cope, they’re more likely to take their own lives.”

The statistics are chilling:

– 38 suicide attempts in January and February this year at Mpilo Hospital, up from 11 in the same period last year
– 162 attempted suicide cases in 2023
– Suicide rate in Zimbabwe: 18 deaths per 100 000 people, higher than the global average and neighboring countries

It’s time to break the silence and create a safe space for men to open up, Musinami urges, “Let’s treat men who are struggling with mental health issues with the same compassion and support as women. Let’s recognize that men are not weaker for failing to cope, but rather, they need our understanding and care.”

Musinami emphasized the need for a change in approach, particularly in churches, where women’s meetings are common, but men’s mental health is often overlooked.