WEEKEND INSIGHT: 13th June. 2026
WHO WILL REMOVE THE LOAD OF TODAY’S MEN?
By Sabiiti Herbert
June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month. Ironically, because it concerns men, it may pass unnoticed. Men are often expected to be strong, silent, dependable, and resilient. Society celebrates what a man provides but rarely asks how he is coping.
Behind many smiles are men carrying invisible burdens.
A man wakes up thinking about school fees, rent, mortgages, business loans, medical bills, and the future of his family. He goes to bed calculating debts and wondering how he will meet tomorrow’s obligations. Yet he is expected to remain calm and composed.
Many men are drowning in debt. Some borrowed to educate their children. Others borrowed to build homes, start businesses, or simply survive difficult economic times. The pressure of repayment can become overwhelming, but few men feel safe enough to admit they are struggling.
At home, many men face another challenge: expectations. The spouse wants a better house, a newer car, more money, more attention, more security, and sometimes comparisons with other men who appear more successful. While these desires may be genuine, constant pressure can leave a man feeling inadequate regardless of how hard he works.
Family responsibility is another heavy load. A man is expected to care for his immediate family, support parents, assist siblings, contribute to community obligations, and respond to emergencies. Everyone sees him as a solution provider. Very few ask who supports him when he becomes overwhelmed.
There is also a sensitive issue many are afraid to discuss. Some men suffer emotional rejection in their own homes. Being consistently denied affection, companionship, and marital intimacy can create feelings of loneliness, frustration, and emotional disconnection. A man’s emotional needs are real, even if society rarely acknowledges them.
The truth is that men are human beings, not machines. They get tired. They worry. They feel disappointment. They experience anxiety. They need encouragement, appreciation, understanding, and sometimes simply someone who will listen without judgment.
To the wives, children, friends, and families: appreciate the men around you. A simple “thank you” can lighten a burden you cannot see. Encouragement can restore strength where pressure has created exhaustion.
To the men: you do not have to carry every burden alone. Seek counsel. Build friendships. Share your struggles with trusted people. Asking for support is not weakness; it is wisdom.
As we mark Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, let us remember that strong men also need support. The man carrying everyone else’s load deserves someone who will occasionally help carry his.
My question this weekend is simple: Who will remove the load of today’s men?
Think about it.
Have a blessed weekend.