Maseru
Mental health experts and community leaders in Maseru are calling on Basotho men to take their psychological well-being seriously, speak up when they are struggling, and let go of old ideas that say “real men don’t show emotion.”
The message came out strongly on Friday during a Men’s Mental Health Awareness event held in Maseru. Speakers said men’s mental health has been ignored for too long, and it is time to treat it with the same importance as physical health.
Mamathe Khetsi, a clinical psychologist and psychiatry-trained lecturer at the National University of Lesotho, told the audience that illnesses like high blood pressure, diabetes, and prostate cancer get a lot of attention. But mental health, she said, is often left out of the conversation even though it affects how men think, feel, make decisions, and relate to others.
Quoting the World Health Organization (WHO), Khetsi said mental health means being in a state of well-being where a person understands his strengths, handles normal life stress, works well, and contributes to his community.
“Good mental health is not just about not being sick,” she explained. “It is also about managing your emotions, knowing yourself, and being able to adapt when life gets hard.”
One of the biggest problems, Khetsi said, is what psychologists call restrictive emotionality. This is when men are taught from a young age to hide their feelings because society expects them to be strong, independent, and tough.
“Many men grow up believing they must deal with problems alone,” she said. “They think that crying, asking for help, or talking about fear is a sign of weakness.”
This belief, she added, leads to self-stigma. Many men see seeking help as a personal failure. As a result, they suffer quietly and only look for help when they are already in a crisis.
“That is the heroic misconception,” she said. “True strength is not about avoiding problems. It is about how you manage them.”
“Seeking help is not weakness,” she said. “It is a step toward resilience, productivity, and healthier families.”
Sempe Mahapang from the group “Gents With Brains” told men to redefine masculinity around good character. He said being a man is not just an identity, but a daily choice to live with responsibility, respect, integrity, and compassion.
“Society needs men who make a positive impact at home, at work, and in the community,” Mahapang said. “Real masculinity shows when a man protects, supports, and leads with humility and accountability.”
“Healthy communication makes relationships stronger and creates space for men to express emotions without fear,” he added.
“Your actions set the tone,” he said. “You can either inspire others or harm them by the example you set.”
Malefane Matele, Human Resource Manager for Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, said society must also focus on raising boys well. He noted that while much work has been done to empower women, men and boys also need guidance to adapt to changing times.
“Do we have enough positive male role models?” he asked. “Many boys grow up without seeing what healthy masculinity looks like.”
“We need to move beyond just talking about equality,” he said. “We need solutions that help both women and men live and contribute together.”
The event was dedicated to raising awareness about men’s mental health and giving a platform to voices that are often ignored. Speakers agreed on one point: silence is harmful. Talking, seeking help, and building positive character are signs of real strength.
