As health professionals raise the alarm on the mental health crisis among Nigerian men, a clinical psychologist, Dr Miracle Ihuoma has emphasised that mental health disorders are not gender-specific; certain conditions are notably more prevalent among men due to a mix of cultural, social, and environmental factors.
In Nigeria, as in many other parts of the world, men are culturally conditioned to embody strength, stoicism, and self-reliance. These expectations discourage emotional vulnerability and prevent many from seeking help. Although mental health awareness is growing, the discourse has largely focused on women and youth, leaving men underserved, misunderstood, and isolated.
Emerging statistics reveal a troubling picture. According to Insight Solutions, one in five Nigerian men dies before the age of 65, and men account for 80 per cent of all suicides. Suicide remains the leading cause of death among men under 35.
This year’s Men’s Health Month is spotlighting the “Empathy Gap” a term used by health advocates to describe the chronic lack of support, funding, and public attention directed toward men’s health, particularly mental health.
Despite the grim numbers, many men continue to suffer in silence. Half of all men report experiencing mental health challenges, yet fewer than half seek professional help. A staggering 37 per cent admit to hiding their struggles even from their intimate partners, while 30 per cent say they don’t know where to find help.
These local concerns reflect broader global patterns. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) show that 86 per cent of male deaths worldwide are caused by non-communicable diseases and injuries, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses.
Nigerian men, like many others globally, are more likely to engage in harmful lifestyle behaviours, such as smoking, excessive drinking, and poor diets, yet are less likely to seek medical care or acknowledge unmet health needs.
Ihuoma said that mental health challenges affect both men and women alike, as such conditions are not inherently sensitive to gender. However, he noted that some disorders disproportionately affect men. Suicide, for instance, remains a leading mental health issue among men, with men being four times more likely to die by suicide than women.
He also identified substance use disorders, where individuals misuse substances to the point of psychological and behavioural disruption and intermittent explosive disorder, characterized by disproportionate and irrational aggression, as more common among men.
According to Ihuoma, while suicide rates are higher among men, depression is more commonly reported among women.
He cited statistics from the World Health Organization that highlight a higher suicide rate among men and explored the reasons behind this disparity.
He explained that while more women may experience suicidal thoughts or attempt suicide, men are more likely to die by suicide due to being more intentional and direct in their methods. He attributed this in part to a term called “self-sufficiency syndrome” among men, an ingrained belief that they must resolve their issues independently and that seeking help is a sign of weakness.
The psychologist said this belief often leads men to self-medicate or internalize their struggles rather than seek support. He added that unlike women, who are generally more vocal and open about their challenges, many men remain silent, fearing judgment or viewing vulnerability as a threat to their masculinity.
Ihuoma also pointed out societal expectations as a significant contributor to men’s mental health struggles. He explained that societal pressure to provide and achieve can lead to overwhelming stress.
“Men are often judged by their financial success. When men feel they are failing in these areas, it can severely impact their self-worth and mental stability, sometimes pushing them toward suicide,” he explained.
On what can be done to support men’s mental health; Ihuoma emphasised the importance of social support systems. He advised that every man should cultivate an inner circle, a trusted group of individuals with whom they can share and be vulnerable. “Men need to learn to open up and speak not just for solutions but for support,” he stated.
He also highlighted the societal role in fostering an environment where men feel safe to express their emotions and stressed that both individuals and communities must help create a non-judgmental atmosphere that allows men to speak openly. “For men to be vulnerable, they need to feel comfortable and not judged,” he said.
He advocated increased awareness and policy development and urged the government to support mental health awareness campaigns, collaborate with NGOs and professionals working in the space, and enact mental health-friendly policies that influence cultural perceptions positively.
“Policies shape culture, and if we want to change how mental health is approached, especially for men, we need supportive policies in place,” he concluded.
