By Carolyne Atieno

Published on June 30, 2026

Dagoretti, NAIROBI, KENYA -As the Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close today, mental health experts are making a passionate plea to Kenyan men to break the silence and reject societal stereotypes that view emotional vulnerability as a sign of weakness.

The conversation comes at a critical time when shifting economic realities and recent national traumas have heightened cases of stress, anxiety, and depression across the country.

According to Natasha Horlins, a practicing psychiatrist who spoke to Mtaani Radio, social stigma and the fear of judgment remain the biggest roadblocks preventing men from seeking professional psychological help before it is too late.

In today’s digital age, the battle for mental wellness has heavily shifted online. Dr. Hollins points out that social media plays a highly complex, dual role in the mental health crisis.

With professional therapy often priced out of reach for ordinary citizens, Dr. Hollins emphasizes that mental healthcare does not always have to be expensive. She advises those struggling with emotional or psychological weight to utilize trusted local social fabrics.

Crucially, the psychiatrist noted that mental wellness checks should be proactive rather than reactive.

As June ends, the overarching message to every brother, father, and son remains clear: speaking up is not a sign of weakness—it is the ultimate act of survival.