In Pakistan, men’s mental health remains an invisible crisis. From an early age, boys are taught to suppress emotions; to “man up” rather than speak up. This cultural conditioning has turned emotional vulnerability into a social taboo, forcing men to suffer silently behind a facade of strength.
Research shows that depression and anxiety are rising among Pakistani men, yet the topic remains rarely discussed. Mental disorders contribute nearly 2.4% of the male disease burden, while over 60% of suicide victims are men, often aged 20 to 40. Financial stress, unemployment and familial responsibilities compound this pressure, causing many to internalise pain until it becomes unbearable.
Such repression often manifests as substance abuse, anger or self-destructive behaviour. Emotional exhaustion spills into homes, workplaces and relationships, affecting entire communities. Yet men hesitate to seek help, fearing judgment or loss of respect — a silence that costs lives.
It is time to recognise that emotional openness is not weakness but wisdom. Educational institutions and workplaces must actively include men in mental health initiatives, offering counselling and support without stigma. Media campaigns should challenge the stereotype that strength means silence. When men are encouraged to talk, families become safer, workplaces healthier and society stronger.
Ignoring men’s pain deepens societal fractures. A nation cannot thrive when half its population silently battles unseen wounds. Perhaps it is time we stop telling men to “be strong” and start asking, “Are you okay?”
Azlina Razzak Baloch
Karachi
