Experts and Advocates Spotlight Men’s Mental Health at “A Fight for Life” 2025 Conference
Published by Borderless MediaNg
Mental health advocates, medical professionals and creative industry leaders have called for increased awareness, early intervention and stronger support systems for men battling depression, addiction and emotional distress. This formed the core of discussions at the 2025 Fight for Life Men’s Mental Health Conference, organised by Black Images Media Concepts, with the theme “Navigating Depression in Men.”
Held in Lagos, the conference brought together experts to examine the rising mental health burden among men and highlight practical steps for healing, prevention and community support.
Movember as a Catalyst for Men’s Mental Health Awareness
Founder of the initiative and host of the Mindfully with Tunmise podcast, Tunmise Oladapo-Kuku, said the event was strategically held in November to align with Movember—a global movement dedicated to men’s mental health, prostate cancer awareness and suicide prevention.
Oladapo-Kuku described men as central to family and societal stability, yet often left without emotional guidance.
“Women are raised to be wives, mothers and sisters. A man is raised simply to ‘be a man.’ No one teaches men how to be fathers, husbands or nurturers,” she said.
“When a man is whole, the family thrives. If we uphold this natural order, society will function better.”
She emphasized the need for emotional education for boys and young men, noting that mental resilience should start long before marriage or fatherhood.
“The best time to be a grounded, value-driven man is now. You are a father before the fact, not after the fact.”
Keynote Speaker: Depression in Men Often Goes Unrecognized
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Emmanuel Abayomi, Consultant Psychiatrist at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, warned that depression in men remains significantly underdiagnosed.
He noted that although women are statistically more likely to be diagnosed with depression, men die by suicide four times more, indicating a major gap in detection.He listed common but often overlooked symptoms in men, including:
Sudden changes in sleep patterns
Loss of appetite or excessive eating
Irritability, aggression or unexplained sadness
Loss of interest in hobbies
Persistent fatigue
Feelings of helplessness or worthlessness
Forgetfulness, poor concentration and low self-esteemReduced libido.
Dr. Abayomi urged families to be more observant rather than attributing these symptoms to spiritual causes or superstition. “Access to mental healthcare exists, but many people do not know. Awareness must go deeper, especially at the grassroots,” he said. “You are not weak when you ask for help. Depression is treatable. Speak up.”
Panelists Call for Emotional Literacy, Honest Dialogue and Root-Cause Intervention During a panel session, speakers stressed that addressing men’s mental health is a collective responsibility that ultimately strengthens families and communities.
Cross-cultural creator and fashion curator Emmanuel Effiong-Bright identified cultural conditioning as a major barrier, saying many men are raised to hide their struggles.
“Society has positioned men as lone problem-solvers,” he said. “What keeps you afloat can actually sink you. Asking for help is not weakness; it is strength.”
He encouraged men to embrace healthy support systems similar to networks already common among women. Video Editor and Director Ajiva Lubem spoke about the link between addiction and depression, using his personal journey to illustrate that many harmful behaviours stem from unresolved emotional wounds.
“For many men, drugs, gambling or even relationships become a means of escape,” he said. Lubem attributed his past struggles to childhood rejection and constant comparison, noting that his healing process now informs his approach to fatherhood.
He urged parents to understand personality differences in their children and invest in modern parenting knowledge. Co-host and Communications Strategist Oluwaseun Dawodu emphasized the importance of emotional vocabulary in improving men’s mental health. “Many men use labels like ‘angry’ or ‘tired,’ which do not explain what they truly feel. Proper naming helps in proper healing,” he said.
He advised men to express their emotions fully and ask reflective questions that uncover the true source of distress.
