Men Finding Healing Through Therapy in Africa
Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month is a time to recognize a critical but often overlooked issue: the mental well-being of men. Globally, men die from suicide at more than twice the rate of women. Men face unique pressures that can take a toll on their mental health, but in many communities across Africa, depression remains deeply misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and undertreated.
About a quarter of the people who receive StrongMinds depression treatment are men and adolescent boys. They have endured trauma, loss, economic hardship, or displacement, yet social norms often discourage them from speaking openly about emotional struggles. Instead, symptoms of depression may show up in silence, withdrawal, anger, or even substance use. Without intervention, these symptoms can escalate, affecting families, livelihoods, and communities.
We’re working to change that. Group therapy offers more than just relief from symptoms—it creates a safe space where men and adolescent boys can be vulnerable, express their experiences, and support each other in recovery.
In Katwe, one of Kampala’s most densely populated neighborhoods, a local acrobatic troupe known as “The Village Roots” found more than just a stage—they discovered a new sense of belonging through StrongMinds’ group therapy. Often serving as both community outreach and creative expression, these young performers face immense pressures stemming from poverty, social instability, and daily life in the slum. Therapy created a space where troupe members could unpack trauma, anxiety, and emotional burnout in the solidarity of peers.
“We are a family,” said Shatif, one of the troupe’s members. “When I first started group therapy, I was too shy to talk about my depression, but I learned that I was with people so much like me. We shared the same story, and we were able to overcome our depression together.”
In Kenya, 29-year-old Elijah’s life took an unexpected turn after a family dispute with his mother led to incarceration. Struggling with drug addiction, unresolved childhood trauma, and deep feelings of shame, Elijah felt completely isolated. “Before StrongMinds came, I felt like my life was over,” he said.
Initially skeptical of therapy, Elijah remarked, “Therapy? That’s a white people thing. I’m a man from Africa—we don’t talk about our feelings.” He soon found that StrongMinds’ group therapy offered him a safe space to process his past and rebuild a sense of hope.
Through group sessions, Elijah began to understand the childhood roots of his pain and take accountability for his actions. He reconnected with his family, found forgiveness for his mother, and began planning a new future in automotive engineering. His story is just one example of how therapy is helping incarcerated men heal, reconcile, and imagine a life beyond prison walls.
The impact of better mental health reaches far beyond the individual. When men feel mentally strong, they are better able to work, care for their families, and participate in their communities. The ripple effects are undeniable.
As we mark Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, we must continue to challenge stigma and expand access to care. Mental health matters for everyone—and treating men’s depression is not just a benefit to them, but a step toward healthier, more resilient communities.