In the realm of music theatre and art, the exploration of mental health has gained increasing visibility, but often through a lens that fails to fully engage with the complex mental health experiences of men.
While there has been some movement toward opening conversations about mental health, malestream narratives are those that centre on male-dominated perspectives and they frequently perpetuate harmful stereotypes about masculinity that can exacerbate mental health challenges for men, especially when it comes to suicide prevention.
Malestream narratives in art and music theatre refer to the dominant perspectives that prioritise and normalise male experiences, often sidelining or misrepresenting other identities, particularly those of women, gender minorities, and marginalised groups.
These narratives have historically centered on traditional depictions of masculinity strength, stoicism, independence, and emotional detachment often at the expense of acknowledging the emotional vulnerabilities and mental health struggles of men.
In the context of mental health, these malestream depictions can create a toxic environment where men are discouraged from expressing vulnerability or seeking help.
Society, influenced by these narratives, may view emotional distress or struggles with mental health as signs of weakness, something that men are conditioned to avoid at all costs.
This not only limits their emotional expression but also perpetuates the stigma surrounding mental health issues among men.
International Men's Day, celebrated on November 19, served as a day to reflect on, and address the challenges that men face globally, while also recognising their achievements and contributions to society. .
- Rewriting masculinity: Artistic voices challenging shadows of men's mental health in Zimbabwe
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This day underscored the need for greater awareness of men's health issues, including mental health and the prevention of suicide.
Similarly, Movember, which spans the month of November, is a global movement dedicated to raising awareness about men's health, particularly issues like prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health struggles.
The themes of these two observances intersect deeply with the role of malestream narratives in shaping the way men view and address their mental health.
I have always been writing on how art and music theatre hold the potential to challenge and deconstruct these harmful gender norms, providing a platform to address mental health issues, raise awareness, and offer healing narratives.
When male characters are portrayed in ways that allow for emotional complexity and vulnerability, they offer audiences a chance to witness an alternative to the traditional malestream narrative.
These portrayals can encourage men to confront their emotions, seek support, and recognise that expressing feelings of sadness, anxiety, or despair is not a weakness but an essential part of mental health care.
International Men's Day in Zimbabwe provides an opportunity to challenge the stereotypical portrayals of masculinity and encourage conversations about mental health.
Traditionally, Zimbabwean society places significant pressure on men to fulfill the role of the provider, protector, and head of the household.
These expectations are deeply ingrained in both rural and urban settings and are reinforced by cultural, social, and familial norms.
As a result, men are often reluctant to express emotional vulnerability, for fear of being seen as weak or incapable of fulfilling their roles.
In recent years, Zimbabwean artists, activists, and community leaders have started using International Men's Day as a platform to challenge these restrictive ideals. One such example is the work of Zimbabwean musician and social activist Sulumani Chimbetu, who has used his platform to raise awareness about mental health, particularly through his songs.
In his album Ndiratidzei (Show me), he touches on themes of emotional vulnerability and the importance of seeking help when facing mental health challenges.
Chimbetu's willingness to address mental health in his music challenges the malestream narrative that men must always be strong and unshakable.
Another significant case is Chiedza Mhende, a Zimbabwean actor and theatre practitioner, whose works on mental health advocacy often address how societal pressures affect men.
Through performances that involve male characters struggling with inner turmoil, Mhende sheds light on the importance of emotional openness and the destructive nature of toxic masculinity.
These kinds of artistic expressions on International Men's Day help shift the narrative towards a more inclusive understanding of masculinity, where vulnerability and seeking mental health support are seen as signs of strength, not weakness.
In Zimbabwe, where there is a significant emphasis on physical strength and resilience in men, and Movember offers a way to discuss emotional health through a public and visible platform.
A local example of this can be seen in the Zimbabwe Men’s Network (ZMN), which works with men’s groups to raise awareness about health issues, including mental health.
Through Movember campaigns, ZMN has helped break the silence around depression, anxiety, and suicide, encouraging men to take responsibility for their emotional well-being just as they would for their physical health.
The Man Up for Mental Health campaign by local NGOs in Zimbabwe, which coincides with Movember, is another effort to challenge the traditional malestream narrative.
This campaign encourages men to speak up about their mental health, sharing their stories through social media and local events.
By focusing on issues like depression and anxiety, the campaign directly engages with the cultural pressures that discourage men from discussing their emotional lives.
Local celebrities, sports figures, and even government officials have joined in these campaigns, helping to destigmatise mental health and raise awareness.
Several Zimbabwean artists have used their work to address male mental health, directly contributing to the dialogue on suicide prevention.
Albert Nyathi, a renowned poet and musician, has used his platform to explore issues such as gender-based violence, emotional health, and suicide.
His poem Izinkanyezi Ziyakuhlwa (Stars Will Fade) is an evocative piece that addresses the despair that can lead to suicide, encouraging men to seek help and embrace emotional healing. Nyathi’s ability to weave traditional music and poetry with mental health themes creates an accessible space for Zimbabwean men to engage with difficult topics.
The Zimbabwe Theatre Arts Trust (ZTA) has also contributed to breaking the silence around men’s mental health.
Through plays like The Man Who Couldn’t Cry, ZTA portrays male characters who are dealing with emotional repression and the consequences of not expressing their mental health struggles.
These plays have been staged in various communities, using theatre as a tool for education and emotional engagement, creating safe spaces for men to discuss suicide, depression, and other mental health issues openly.
Zimbabwe has made strides in addressing men’s mental health through initiatives like International Men's Day, Movember, and the work of local artists and activists.
However, much remains to be done in challenging the malestream narratives that continue to shape men’s mental health experiences.
The arts, theatre, music, and activism are vital tools in this fight.
By continuing to produce works that depict male vulnerability and emotional complexity, Zimbabwean society can begin to break free from the toxic expectations of traditional masculinity.
On International Men's Day and throughout Movember, it is essential that Zimbabwean men recognise that their mental health is just as important as their physical health.
The arts and advocacy work in Zimbabwe can help foster a more supportive and open environment for men to express their emotions, seek help, and prevent the devastating effects of male suicide.
By deconstructing malestream narratives and embracing a broader definition of masculinity, Zimbabwe can pave the way for healthier, more balanced lives for its men.
nRaymond Millagre Langa is a musician, poet, orator, independent researcher and founder of Indebo edutainment Trust. You can follow on Facebook @Millagre Ray Langa, on X you can follow on #Millagre Langa, email. millagrepapito@gmail.com or indebotrust@gmail.com
