When was the last time you genuinely asked a man in your life how he’s really doing?
Not the polite, passing “How are you?”—the kind that expects nothing more than an automatic “I’m fine.”
No. A real moment. One with intention. One that offers space to be honest. A question that tells him: You don’t have to pretend with me. You’re safe here.
Because too often, men have been taught to perform strength. They are raised to believe that vulnerability is weakness, and silence is resilience. From a young age, many internalize the message that real men don’t cry, don’t falter, and never ask for help. So, they learn to carry their pain quietly—hidden behind productivity, humor, isolation, or a carefully rehearsed “I’m okay.”
But many are not okay.
Across Kenya, suicide rates among men are nearly three times higher than those among women. This is not just a statistic—it’s a reflection of something deeply broken. And yet, most men do not speak up. Some don’t know how. Others believe they’re not allowed to. The silence becomes familiar. The weight becomes normal. The pain becomes private.
There is a harsh cycle in motion:
Society says, “Be strong.”
Culture says, “Be silent.”
Fear says, “Don’t speak.”
Stigma says, “You’ll be judged.”
And the cost is devastating—unseen wounds, unspoken pain, and lives lost too soon.
But what if we could interrupt that cycle?
At WEMA Counselling, a trusted service under WEMA by LVCT Group, we believe it’s time to unlearn the silence. We believe that healing begins in safe spaces—places where men feel seen, supported, and free to speak without fear of judgment. This Men’s Health Month, we invite you to be part of creating those spaces.
Sometimes, all it takes is one sincere question. One gentle check-in. A moment of presence that says: You don’t have to carry this alone.
Because real strength is not found in silence or stoicism.
Real strength is found in asking for help.
It’s found in community, in connection, and in courage.
It’s in choosing to stay alive and choosing to heal.
At WEMA Counselling, we are walking alongside men every day—through sessions that offer care, through resources that build resilience, and through conversations that break stigma.
So ask him again:
“Are you really okay?”
Ask without pressure.
Ask with patience.
Ask until he believes you mean it.
Ask until silence loosens its grip.
This month and beyond, let’s listen more. Let’s show up better. Let’s rewrite the script.
Because you are not alone. And neither is he.
#Shoulder-to-Shoulder, Connecting for Health