On August 13th, Chorus Revival will officially launch, providing a much-anticipated platform for men to discuss various aspects of life, including business, life experience and more importantly mental health. The initiative’s primary goal is to encourage men to openly discuss their feelings and experiences, countering the stigma often associated with mental health issues.
Mental health challenges such as depression, anger, risky behaviours, addiction, and suicide are real and significant. Men often avoid discussing these issues, which leads to internalising their struggles. This can manifest in behavioural changes and have severe consequences.
Research indicates that men face substantial barriers to receiving mental health treatment or diagnosis. Societal pressures to “man up” or “tough it out” often make seeking help seem like a sign of weakness. Chorus Revival aims to dismantle these stereotypes, emphasising that experiencing depression, anxiety, addiction, suicidal ideations or other mental health conditions is common and should not be a source of shame.
Cultural expectations, fatherhood, race, and socioeconomic status can deeply affect a man’s mental health journey. Unfortunately, nearly 1 in 10 men experience mental health issues, yet less than half seek treatment. The stigma surrounding mental health can have tragic consequences, including a high rate of suicide among men.
Sunday Kapesi, a prominent Tanzanian mental health advocate and recovering addict, highlighted the issue of functional addicts during a conversation with Chorus Revival. These individuals can perform daily tasks while abusing substances, often leading to denial and reluctance to seek help due to the associated stigma. Breaking these stigmas and promoting open conversations about men’s mental health is crucial. Seeking help should be seen as a sign of strength, not weakness. Remember, you are not alone, and asking for support is a courageous and vital step toward better mental health.
Understanding why men are reluctant to seek help from mental health professionals is essential. Raising awareness about men’s mental health can help individuals and families identify root causes and support loved ones through challenging times. Men are significantly less likely to seek help than women and mental health issues can impact both personal and professional relationships, causing stress and worry within families and affecting work performance.
While significant strides have been made in men’s mental health awareness in recent decades, many men still live with untreated mental health challenges. Spaces like Chorus Revival and Mwangaza wa Sunday offer safe environments for men to converse and break the stigma. The first step to healing is speaking out about issues, making subsequent steps less challenging.
Every June, Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month highlights the factors impacting men’s health and the importance of seeking help.
To learn more about mental health, tune in live on LinkedIn August 13th as Chorus Revival hosts its first guest, Sunday Ndunguru Kapesi, Founder, Visionary & CEO Lead Champion of Yoga, Fitness & Creative Therapies at Mwangaza wa Sunday, based in Tanzania. Visit the https://mwangazawasunday.co.tz/ for more information on their impactful work.
Chorus Revival recognises the importance of mental health awareness for individuals struggling with mental health issues and their families, friends and co-workers. Support their mental health awareness drive and join the conversation on.
