“Men, Why the Silence?” Advocates, Officials Push for Emotional Support and Mental Health Awareness

Leading advocates, government officials, and mental health experts have called for increased support for men and boys, urging society to break the long-standing culture that discourages men from expressing their emotions and personal struggles.

The call was made during the Jashabel Touch-A-Heart (JTAH) Foundation 2026 National Stakeholders Conference 4.0, held under the theme, “Men, Why the Silence?”

Speaking at the conference, the Executive Director of JTAH Foundation, Comrade Mrs. Favour Benson, said the initiative was inspired by concerns that while significant attention is given to women and girls, the emotional and psychological challenges faced by men and boys are often neglected.

According to Benson, empowering girls alone is insufficient if the men they eventually build families with are carrying unresolved emotional burdens.

“As a human rights organization, we noticed that most interventions are targeted at women and girls. We began asking ourselves, what happened to the boy child and what happened to the men? When you train a girl child and she ends up marrying a broken man, that brokenness can affect the family. That is why we decided to do something for men,” she said.

She emphasized that the foundation would continue to advocate for men to openly discuss their struggles without fear of being judged as weak.

Also speaking at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende, disclosed that the state government was implementing measures to support the development of both boys and girls.

He revealed that the state was institutionalizing a Boy Child Initiative through the Office of the First Lady, Dr. Claudiana Sanwo-Olu, with May 16 designated annually to celebrate the boy child.

“This forum is important because many men suppress their emotions and believe crying is a sign of weakness. We are here to amplify their voices. Government cannot do it alone, which is why we are partnering with organizations like JTAH Foundation to create safer and healthier communities,” Ogunlende said.

Renowned human rights activist and Executive Director of Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, described the conference as a timely intervention, noting that society often overlooks the emotional challenges faced by men.

She warned that continued emotional suppression among men could have far-reaching consequences for families and society.

“If we do not understand what men are going through and allow them to express themselves, society will be in disarray. This initiative is long overdue, and it will help build better families, better religious leaders, and a better society,” she stated.

Chairman of the occasion and Patron of the Association of Movie Producers in Nigeria as well as Patron of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Chief Andy Boyo, urged parents to raise boys with emotional intelligence rather than rigid expectations of masculinity.

Drawing from personal experiences, Boyo observed that many fathers struggle to openly express love and affection to their children.

“You don’t have to be strong, silent and masculine all the time. Human beings have emotions. When you are hurting, it is okay to cry. Nigerian fathers must learn to tell their children they love them,” he said.

The Royal Mother of the Day, Chief Dr. Rot Amb Jackie Adunni Kassim, said the conference broadened her understanding of the emotional challenges confronting many men and encouraged men and boys to seek support from trusted individuals during difficult times.

In his keynote address, Mr. Kingsley Obom-Egbulem described men as victims of a “silent crisis,” arguing that generations of men have been conditioned to suppress emotions and endure hardships alone.

He noted that unresolved childhood experiences, emotional neglect, and societal expectations often prevent men from discussing personal struggles, even with close family members.

Obom-Egbulem further expressed concern over the growing mental health challenges affecting men, stressing the need for greater awareness, emotional education, and support systems to encourage help-seeking behavior.

The conference also featured a panel discussion moderated by Biodun Stephen, with contributions from Dr. Ray Echebiri, Dr. Becky Olorunpomi, Dr. Jude Osamudiamen, Barr. Kunle Afolabi, Aderonke Oyelakin, and Mr. Damilare Adewusi.

Participants unanimously agreed that addressing the emotional and mental well-being of men is essential to building stronger families, healthier relationships, and safer communities. They called for sustained advocacy and support initiatives aimed at encouraging men to speak openly about their challenges without fear of stigma.