The Advisor of Non-communicable Diseases, Injuries and Mental Health for Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Naeem Dalal, has stressed the need to address cultural stereotypes that prevent African men from seeking help with emotional and mental wellness.
Dalal spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lusaka, Zambia, on the sideline of a parallel session on Youth Mental Health in Africa, at the International Conference on Public Health in Africa on Tuesday.
The CPHIA, an annual event, is organized by the Africa Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention, with the 2023 edition being hosted by the Government of Zambia.
According to Dalal, addressing cultural stereotypes is critical, as statistics specifically show that more men die by suicide on the continent of Africa.
Dalal, a Psychiatrist from Lusaka, Zambia, a youth mental health specialist, and currently the National Mental Health, focal person, and specialist for the Zambia National Public Health Institute, highlighted the cultural factors that contribute to men’s reluctance to seek help.
“It’s also important to understand that men do not reach out for help for mental health concerns or issues that they face because of the culture that we have in Africa, where men are supposed to be supportive,” Dalal explained.
“Men are supposed to be responsible and breadwinners in communities. Showing that part of vulnerability is not something that is accepted in our communities across the African continent in general.”
Dalal emphasized that harmful gender norms often discourage men from seeking help, leading to detrimental consequences.
“And not just to stereotype it, but also to be factual that men are also taught not to be reaching out for help growing up as boys and boys are told to be strong and responsible,” Dalal stated.
“So, this also causes an issue for men to reach out for mental health services, even when they are there.”
Dalal outlined the AfricaCDC’s efforts to address mental health challenges and reduce suicide rates on the continent.
“However, the solutions and the implementations that Africa CDC is currently carrying out is in the non-communicable diseases, injuries, and mental health strategy,” Dalal explained.
“They have flagship programs that are looking at mental health advocacy for communities, looking also at men’s health,” he said.
Dalal commended Nigeria for recently passing a bill on mental health, emphasizing the importance of policy-level changes to address mental health challenges effectively.
The CPHIA2023, themed “Breaking Barriers: Repositioning Africa in the Global Health Architecture,” highlights the urgent need to address African mental health issues and calls for a collective effort to break down cultural barriers and promote mental wellness for all.
