On Sunday, May 10, 2026, I experienced a moment that stayed with me long after the conversation ended. It was a painful reminder that many men around us are silently battling emotional and mental struggles that often go unnoticed.
I took a ride with a Bolt driver who initially appeared calm and composed, like any hardworking man trying to cope with the pressures of daily life. Along the journey, we engaged in a normal conversation, but at some point, his tone changed.
The emotional burden he had been carrying slowly began to unfold. He opened up about serious problems in his relationship with the mother of his child — a woman he genuinely loved and hoped to marry after the birth and naming ceremony of their baby. Instead of looking forward to a happy future together, he now finds himself emotionally drained, frustrated, and mentally exhausted.
According to him, the relationship had become emotionally toxic. He spoke about constant disrespect, emotional manipulation, and unresolved conflicts. What troubled him even more was his belief that the woman’s family had failed to address some of her behaviour or encourage peace and mutual respect within the relationship.
Then he revealed something that deeply unsettled me.
A few weeks earlier, during an argument, she allegedly physically assaulted him. He said she slapped and bit him simply because he refused to speak to her after she had ignored him for days following a previous misunderstanding.
As he narrated the incident, it became clear that this was not simply a man complaining about relationship problems. This was someone emotionally overwhelmed and struggling internally.
The most heartbreaking moment came when he admitted that he had begun having dangerous thoughts about harming the woman because of the emotional pain, humiliation, and frustration he was experiencing.
At that point, the conversation became very serious.
I immediately advised him not to act on those thoughts, regardless of how hurt or angry he felt. I reminded him that temporary emotions should never result in permanent consequences. I also reminded him that beyond the conflict between them, they share a child whose future could be destroyed by violence or tragedy.
I encouraged him to walk away whenever emotions became overwhelming, seek counselling or emotional support, and avoid reacting in anger. I urged him to choose healing over revenge.
When we arrived at my destination and I was about to leave, he suddenly broke down in tears. Not restrained tears — he cried deeply and painfully. In that moment, I realised he may not have had anyone genuinely listen to him in a very long time.
I advised him to park somewhere safe, calm himself down, cry if he needed to, and continue driving only when he felt emotionally stable.
After leaving the car, one question remained on my mind: How many men in our society are silently dealing with emotional pain, depression, heartbreak, abuse, anger, anxiety, and even suicidal or violent thoughts without anyone noticing?
The reality is that many men are suffering quietly.
Unfortunately, within many parts of Ghanaian society, men are often conditioned from childhood to suppress emotions. Boys grow up hearing statements such as:
“Men don’t cry.”
“Be a man.”
“Men must be strong.”
“Stop acting weak.”
Over time, many men begin to believe that showing emotion is a sign of weakness. They learn to hide pain behind silence, anger, humour, work, or isolation. Even when they are mentally exhausted, emotionally abused, or deeply depressed, they often feel pressured to pretend that everything is fine.
But men are human beings too.
Men cry too. Men experience emotional pain too. Men face rejection too. Men struggle with loneliness too. Men battle depression too. Men can become mentally overwhelmed too.
The danger is that when emotions are constantly suppressed, they often emerge in unhealthy ways — through anger, violence, addiction, emotional withdrawal, depression, or even self-destruction.
This is why men’s mental health deserves serious attention.
Mental health is not only about people who visibly break down. It also includes emotional exhaustion, unresolved trauma, stress, financial pressure, heartbreak, fear, anxiety, and loneliness.
Many men today are under enormous pressure.
Some are struggling financially but feel unable to talk about it. Some are emotionally abused but fear they will not be believed. Some carry the burden of supporting entire families alone. Others are battling unemployment, rejection, failed relationships, or the pressures of fatherhood. Some are silently losing hope.
Yet society still expects them to keep functioning without complaint.
This silence is dangerous.
As a society, we must create safer emotional spaces for men. We must stop mocking men for expressing vulnerability. We must encourage open conversations about emotional well-being among fathers, brothers, husbands, sons, and friends.
Listening, supporting, and encouraging men to seek help when necessary should not be viewed as weakness. It is part of building a healthier and more compassionate society for everyone.
Sometimes, all a struggling man needs is:
Someone who genuinely listens
A safe environment to express emotions
Counselling or therapy
Encouragement without judgment
Time away from conflict
Emotional reassurance
Healthy friendships and support systems
We must also teach men healthier ways to deal with anger and emotional pain. Seeking help should never be viewed as weakness.
Real strength is:
Walking away from violence
Asking for help when overwhelmed
Choosing peace over revenge
Expressing emotions honestly
Prioritising healing over pride
Violence is never the answer. No matter how painful a relationship becomes, harming another person only creates deeper pain, trauma, legal consequences, and lifelong regret.
This is why emotional support and mental health awareness are so important.
As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month, let us extend the conversation to men too. Let us check on the men around us. Let us ask genuine questions. Let us create environments where men feel safe enough to say, “I am not okay.”
A society that ignores the emotional wellbeing of men risks creating emotionally broken fathers, husbands, brothers, and sons.
Men deserve support. Men deserve compassion. Men deserve healing. Men deserve safe spaces. Men deserve to be heard.
And yes — men should be allowed to cry when necessary because they are human beings too.
The mental health of men matters. Their lives matter too.