Increasing Number of Men Seek Mental Health Support

A growing number of men in Kenya are seeking mental health support, experts report, marking a slow but meaningful shift from long-standing norms of silence. While stigma remains a major barrier—with less than one in three Kenyan men accessing regular healthcare—a recent uptick in telemedicine consultations and peer-led support groups is helping break the silence.
Traditionally, social expectations have discouraged men from expressing emotional vulnerability. Many Kenyan men still equate seeking help with weakness. However, new platforms are making it easier for them to reach out: His.Doctor, a men-focused digital wellness service, now offers mental health consultations via WhatsApp, SMS, and web, providing confidentiality and convenience—especially attractive to men wary of visiting clinics. At the same time, community organisations are cultivating safe spaces where men can speak more openly about stress, financial pressures, and emotional trauma. The rate of men presenting at mental health facilities may still lag, but more are using these alternative routes to access support.
Still, experts warn that despite progress, most men in need of mental health care remain underserved. Data suggests that over 60% of men who struggle don’t recognize their mental health challenges or don’t seek treatment at all.The consequences are stark: in Kenya, eight out of every ten suicide deaths are male—highlighting how lethal stigma and untreated mental illness can be. Advocates argue that scaling up male‑friendly mental health services—especially in community and workplace settings—is urgently needed. They call for more peer‑led programmes, awareness campaigns to redefine masculinity, and better integration of mental health into primary care. Many see the current rise in help-seeking as a crucial turning point: not just for individual lives, but for a broader cultural shift toward healthier, more open conversations about men’s mental health.