Touched by the growing number of men committing suicide, four poets have shot a video for a poem titled Nafeso Tizilira which encourages men to speak up when faced with challenges in life.
The poets Chifundo Jere, Enea Kachigamba, Gedion Palm Tree and Patwell Phiri, who is also Poetry Association of Malawi (PAM) chairperson responsible for Central Region.
The video, which is available on YouTube, has been produced by Moka.
Speaking in an interview on Sunday, Palm Tree said it has become a norm to say that men don’t cry, but the reality is that men suffer in silence.
“Men are not superhuman. They feel pain just like everyone else, and their mental well-being deserves support, understanding and a voice. This poem brings this truth to light,” he said.
The poet said society expectations leave most men prone to mental health illness because men think that suffering in silence makes them strong.
“But real strength is the courage to open up about our personal struggles. Let’s all embrace this simple truth,” he said.
On his part, Jere said he is happy to be part of the poem aimed at helping and alerting his fellow men to open up and seek help from others when they are faced with challenges to avoid committing suicide.
Jere, who started poetry in 2013, has since called on government to increase access to mental health services, establish more mental health clinics and counselling centres and also to raise public awareness.
“In addition to this, the government should also conduct nationwide campaigns to reduce stigma around mental health, and encourage men to seek help without fear of judgment. This will ,therefore, help in reducing suicide cases,” he said.
