Many African men are not living long because they are living heavy.
The average African man is dying in silence not always from sickness but sometimes from stress, pressure and from carrying too much for too long!
In Nigeria today, the average man is expected to live about *54 years* Fifty-four!
For many men, life feels like a race against time:
provide, protect, perform and endure. From a young age, many African boys are taught: Man up, don’t cry, handle it, be strong... *And so they grow into men who know how to survive and not how to heal.*
Men often delay hospital visits, Ignore warning signs, normalize chest pain, headaches, sleeplessness and emotional exhaustion.
Many wear stress like a badge of honour while the body and mind keep the score.
Behind many “strong men” are silent battles:
financial pressure, family expectations,
marital strain, unprocessed trauma,
private disappointments.
And too often, nobody asks: *Who is taking care of the man taking care of everyone?*
*This year’s Men’s Mental Health theme says: “Partners in Care: For Better Lifespans Across the Lifespan.”*
And honestly that matters deeply because a peaceful home can extend a man’s life, a supportive spouse can reduce emotional burden, a listening ear can interrupt despair and a kind word can soften a heavy day.
*To wives and partners:*
Your role is powerful!
You are not to carry his burdens for him, but create a space where he does not have to carry them alone. Sometimes, men do not need solutions first they need softness, understanding, respect and peace.
*To the men reading this:*
Strength is not silence.
Checking your health is strength, resting is
strength, asking for help is strength.
*And to families, friends and communities:*
Do not wait until the strong man breaks before you notice he was bending. Because men deserve long lives, not just hard lives.
Men's Mental health month (June 2026)
Your Counselling Psychologist
Aishat M. MURITALA
The average African man is dying in silence not always from sickness but sometimes from stress, pressure and from carrying too much for too long!
In Nigeria today, the average man is expected to live about *54 years* Fifty-four!
For many men, life feels like a race against time:
provide, protect, perform and endure. From a young age, many African boys are taught: Man up, don’t cry, handle it, be strong... *And so they grow into men who know how to survive and not how to heal.*
Men often delay hospital visits, Ignore warning signs, normalize chest pain, headaches, sleeplessness and emotional exhaustion.
Many wear stress like a badge of honour while the body and mind keep the score.
Behind many “strong men” are silent battles:
financial pressure, family expectations,
marital strain, unprocessed trauma,
private disappointments.
And too often, nobody asks: *Who is taking care of the man taking care of everyone?*
*This year’s Men’s Mental Health theme says: “Partners in Care: For Better Lifespans Across the Lifespan.”*
And honestly that matters deeply because a peaceful home can extend a man’s life, a supportive spouse can reduce emotional burden, a listening ear can interrupt despair and a kind word can soften a heavy day.
*To wives and partners:*
Your role is powerful!
You are not to carry his burdens for him, but create a space where he does not have to carry them alone. Sometimes, men do not need solutions first they need softness, understanding, respect and peace.
*To the men reading this:*
Strength is not silence.
Checking your health is strength, resting is
strength, asking for help is strength.
*And to families, friends and communities:*
Do not wait until the strong man breaks before you notice he was bending. Because men deserve long lives, not just hard lives.
Men's Mental health month (June 2026)
Your Counselling Psychologist
Aishat M. MURITALA