Bomet KUPPET Gender Secretary Evalyne Chepkirui Sanguya has urged men to prioritise their mental health, warning that rising social and economic pressures continue to weigh heavily on families, workplaces, and communities across the country.
In her message for the new month of June, she noted that many men are silently carrying heavy emotional and psychological burdens linked to financial responsibilities, family expectations, workplace stress, debt, and societal pressure, often without seeking help or speaking out.
Sanguya emphasized that mental health challenges should be treated with the same seriousness as physical illness, adding that seeking support, speaking out, and opening up about emotional struggles is a sign of strength rather than weakness.
She encouraged men to break the culture of silence that often surrounds mental health issues.
Mental health advocates say stigma, cultural expectations, and fear of judgment remain major barriers preventing many men from accessing counselling or emotional support services, even when they are under intense pressure.
They warn that prolonged silence often leads to increased stress, depression, and, in severe cases, loss of life.
Support needed for teachers
Sanguya further stressed the need for structured mental wellness programmes targeting teachers, noting that educators are increasingly facing pressure from heavy workloads, changing education policies, learner welfare concerns, and personal financial obligations.
She said regular counselling services, peer support forums, stress management workshops, and workplace wellness initiatives would help teachers address mental health challenges before they escalate into serious emotional and psychological distress.
Call for stronger awareness campaigns
The unionist called for stronger awareness campaigns and community-based support systems that encourage men to speak early, seek help, and engage in regular conversations on mental wellbeing with trusted friends, family members, religious leaders, and professional counsellors.
She also urged education stakeholders and employers to invest in workplace mental health programmes that promote emotional wellness, resilience, and healthy coping mechanisms, particularly for teachers who often work under demanding conditions while supporting learners and communities.
Promoting healthy lifestyles
Her sentiments also highlighted the importance of rest, self-care, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, reminding men that their value extends beyond financial provision to include emotional stability, family leadership, and personal wellbeing.
“Speak before you break” remains a central appeal from the gender secretary, urging men to support one another and create safe spaces where mental health can be discussed openly without stigma or fear of discrimination.
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She called for sustained efforts to reduce stress-related illnesses, depression, and suicide among men while strengthening families, workplaces, and overall community resilience.
By Philip Koech
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