According to mental health advocate Victor Khamisi, the problem could lie on the extensive burden of masculinity, which has often been used against men as they are viewed immune to and devoid of feelings or expressing emotions.

The causes of mental illness in men can be classified in three broad categories that interact with each other in complex ways.

Mr Mwenja, whose organisation provides free mental health services expressed concern that a few men are open to seeking treatment.

While trying to tackle issues surrounding mental health, Mr Mwenja emphasises on breaking the social perspective of ‘toxic masculinity’ which he says has led to the misunderstanding of issues men face.

To rectify this, he says that society needs to start adopting strategies that look at men and masculinity as allies in men’s mental health, noting that a change of perception will be help win this battle and not changing an inherent trait of a man.