Many Nigerian men are living with depression without knowing it or admitting it. For some, the signs appear as exhaustion, anger, isolation or persistent sleep problems. For others, it shows as emotional withdrawal from family, work and social connections. What runs through many of these experiences is silence. Cultural pressure to appear strong and emotionally contained continues to prevent men from seeking help, even as symptoms worsen behind closed doors.

This growing concern was the focus of discussions at the 2025 edition of A Fight for Life: Men’s Mental Health Conference, organised by Mindfully with Tunmise Podcast under Blackhemages Media Concept. The event explored how social expectations, poor emotional education and limited awareness continue to shape depression among Nigerian men. The conference theme, Navigating Depression in Men, aligned with annual international men’s health campaigns observed every November.

Speaking at the event, the convener, Oluwatumise Kuku, said cultural conditioning plays a central role in how men experience and cope with emotional distress. She explained that from childhood, many boys are raised without guidance on emotional expression, stress management or relationship building, yet are later expected to grow into emotionally vulnerable providers and protectors.

She noted that these expectations often distort how men handle pressure. Without healthy emotional tools or outlets, many internalise stress or adopt harmful coping patterns that leave depression hidden and untreated. Kuku encouraged men to cultivate self-awareness, emotional intelligence and personal stability early in life. “When you align your values and take care of yourself first, you can lead a healthier, more balanced life,” she said.

Medical experts at the conference reinforced her message with sobering data. Consultant psychiatrist at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Dr Emmanuel Abayomi, drew attention to a persistent gender gap between diagnosis and outcomes.

“All over the world, statistics on depression suggest that women are twice as likely to suffer from depression as men. Interestingly, when you look at suicide rates, they are about four times higher in men. That tells us something important. Many men suffering from depression are not being identified,” he said.

Abayomi explained that research consistently shows that about 90 percent of people who die by suicide have a history of mental illness, meaning untreated depression often remains the underlying factor. He listed warning symptoms that frequently go unnoticed or are misread in men, including sleep disruption, appetite changes, persistent sadness, irritability, aggression, withdrawal from activities, chronic fatigue, memory difficulties, low self-esteem and reduced libido.

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He urged men to seek medical and emotional support without shame. “You are not alone. Do not die in silence. Speak up. There is nothing to be ashamed of. Depression is a disease of the brain. We all have a brain, and we are all vulnerable. Seek help and speak up,” he said.

The cultural pressures shaping men’s mental health were also addressed by panellist Emmanuel Effiong-Bright, a cross-cultural content creator. He observed that many Nigerian men are socialised to internalise emotional distress rather than voice it openly.

“As far as depression in men is concerned, a lot of men are wired culturally to keep things to themselves. Society conditions us to be tough and constantly solve problems. Women often have support groups, but men struggle to accept that they also need help,” he said.

Effiong-Bright encouraged men to speak up and build strong personal values early, arguing that emotional preparation helps prevent breakdown when real-life pressures intensify.

Experts at the conference agreed that without broader awareness and emotional education, many Nigerian men will continue to live with untreated depression. They warned that emotional silence masks illness until it reaches crisis levels, contributing to suicide risk and long-term psychological damage.

The message from the gathering was direct: early detection, open conversation and accessible support remain the most powerful tools for protecting men’s mental health in Nigeria.

Meiza Nigeria