The Silent Suffering Of Men
By Abdul Rahman Bah
Mental health is increasingly becoming one of Sierra Leone’s most overlooked public health and social challenges, yet it remains surrounded by stigma, silence and limited access to professional care. While women and children often receive deserved attention in discussions about vulnerability, mental health experts and community advocates are urging the country not to ignore the growing psychological struggles facing men, many of whom carry enormous economic and social responsibilities with little emotional support.
Across Sierra Leone, thousands of men wake up each day carrying the burden of providing for their families amid rising food prices, unemployment, underemployment and a difficult economic climate. Society often expects men to remain strong regardless of their circumstances, leaving many to suffer in silence when they are unable to meet those expectations. Financial hardship, family pressure, debt, relationship problems and job insecurity have become daily realities that affect not only men’s economic wellbeing, but also their mental health.
The consequences are becoming increasingly visible. Community leaders and health advocates point to rising substance abuse, particularly the widespread use of the dangerous synthetic drug known as kush, as a symptom of deeper social and psychological distress. While not every person who uses drugs has a mental health condition, many young men report turning to drugs as a way to escape stress, trauma, hopelessness and the frustration of prolonged unemployment and poverty.
The impact extends beyond addiction. Drug abuse has contributed to increasing numbers of young men entering prisons and police detention cells, losing employment opportunities, abandoning education and becoming disconnected from their families. Rather than receiving treatment for addiction and mental health challenges, many instead find themselves trapped in cycles of crime, incarceration and social exclusion.
One such story is that of Mohamed Jalloh, a former bakery worker, whose life changed dramatically after becoming addicted to kush. During an interview, Mohamed explained that he had been employed at a bakery, earning approximately NLe 1,500 per month. Although the salary was modest, he relied on it to provide for his family during a period of severe economic hardship.
According to Mohamed, the financial pressure of supporting his household while struggling to survive on a low income, gradually became overwhelming. As the cost of living continued to rise, he felt increasingly hopeless and stressed. Seeking temporary relief from his emotional and financial burdens, he became involved in the use of kush, a decision that ultimately cost him his livelihood.
“I was going through a lot because of the hardship in Sierra Leone,” Mohamed said during the interview. “The little salary I earned was not enough to meet my family’s needs. I made mistakes by turning to kush, and in the end I lost my job.”
Mohamed’s experience reflects a broader reality affecting many Sierra Leonean men. Behind stories of addiction are often untreated mental health struggles, financial pressure, unemployment, depression, anxiety and a lack of accessible counselling services. Mental health professionals warn that unless these underlying causes are addressed, drug enforcement alone will not solve the growing crisis.
Experts argue that Sierra Leone’s mental health system remains under-resourced. Access to trained psychologists, psychiatrists and counsellors is limited, especially outside the capital. Many communities still interpret mental illness through superstition or spiritual explanations, causing individuals experiencing depression, anxiety or trauma to avoid seeking professional help for fear of discrimination and social rejection.
Economic hardship has further intensified these challenges. Young graduates struggle to find employment, while many workers survive on salaries that barely cover basic necessities. For men who are traditionally expected to provide for extended families, the inability to meet those expectations often creates feelings of failure, shame and emotional exhaustion. Unfortunately, many choose silence instead of seeking help, because societal expectations discourage men from expressing vulnerability.
Mental health advocates continue to stress that emotional wellbeing should be treated with the same seriousness as physical health. Depression, anxiety and psychological distress are medical conditions that require understanding, treatment and support rather than judgment or ridicule. Creating safe spaces where men can openly discuss their struggles could help prevent addiction, violence, family breakdown and suicide.
Against this backdrop, the work of the Centre for Gender and Social Justice Executive Director, Janisa Edwina Francess Momodu Esq, has attracted growing recognition. Through community outreach, public education and mental health awareness campaigns, the organisation has been encouraging open conversations about psychological wellbeing, while challenging the stigma that often prevents people from seeking help. Its programmes have highlighted that mental health affects everyone, regardless of age or gender, and that early intervention can save lives.
The organisation’s efforts also reinforce an important message: supporting men’s mental health does not diminish support for women or other vulnerable groups. Rather, healthy families and stronger communities depend on ensuring that everyone has access to emotional support, counselling and appropriate mental health services.
As Sierra Leone continues to confront economic difficulties, unemployment and the growing threat of drug abuse, many believe that investment in mental health must become a national priority. Government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, religious leaders and local communities all have a role to play in expanding access to counselling services, strengthening rehabilitation programmes, creating employment opportunities and reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Mohamed Jalloh’s story serves as a reminder that behind every statistic is a human being whose life has been shaped by hardship, pressure and difficult choices. His experience underscores the urgent need for a society that not only addresses addiction, but also tackles the underlying mental health challenges that drive many vulnerable young men towards drugs. Until Sierra Leone places greater emphasis on mental wellbeing alongside economic development, many men will continue to carry their burdens in silence, often with devastating consequences for themselves, their families and the nation.
