Today, 16th May, marks the International Day of the Boy Child—a day dedicated to recognising and addressing the unique challenges boys face in today’s world. This year’s theme, “Boys and Mental Health,” brings to the fore a critical yet often overlooked aspect of child development in Africa: the emotional and psychological wellbeing of the boy child.
At EduTimes Africa, where we are committed to promoting holistic education and child welfare, we believe that investing in boys’ mental health is essential to securing their future and, by extension, the future of the continent.
Across Africa, boys are raised with a strong sense of duty, toughness, and silence. From a young age, they are told to “man up,” “stop crying,” and “be strong”—all well-meaning phrases that, unfortunately, discourage emotional expression. The result is a generation of boys carrying unspoken burdens—struggling with fear, anxiety, loneliness, trauma, and societal pressure, but lacking the words or safe spaces to articulate them.
Many boys in our communities are navigating the harsh realities of poverty, peer pressure, unstable family structures, bullying, violence, and in some cases, displacement due to conflict. These challenges, if left unaddressed, impact not only their academic performance but also their ability to form healthy relationships and develop a positive sense of self.
Mental health is not a gendered issue—it affects all children. However, boys are less likely to seek help, more likely to act out distress through aggression or withdrawal, and in some cases, at greater risk of turning to substance abuse or harmful behaviours as coping mechanisms.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among adolescents globally, and boys are statistically more likely to die by suicide than girls. In Africa, mental health services are already limited, and for boys, these services are even less accessible due to stigma and cultural expectations of masculinity.
We cannot continue to ignore the quiet crisis. When boys are mentally healthy, they are more likely to excel in school, form meaningful friendships, avoid risky behaviours, and become emotionally intelligent leaders and fathers.
This year’s theme demands that we not only talk, but act. Here is how we can start:
1. Normalise Mental Health Conversations
Families, schools, and religious institutions must encourage open dialogue. Boys need to know it is okay to not be okay—and to seek help when needed.
2. Train Teachers and Caregivers
Educators should be trained to identify signs of mental distress and provide first-line support or referrals to counsellors where available.
3. Establish Safe Spaces
Schools and community centres should have programmes that allow boys to engage in peer support, mentorship, and creative self-expression—through sports, arts, and storytelling.
4. Involve Fathers and Male Role Models
Positive male figures must be involved in conversations around emotions and mental wellness. Boys need to see that strength also lies in vulnerability.
5. Policy and Funding
Governments and stakeholders must invest in mental health infrastructure in schools and youth centres, especially in underserved areas.
Despite these challenges, the African boy child continues to show resilience, creativity, and determination. From leading tech innovations in their communities to excelling in sports and academics, boys across the continent are writing their own stories of strength.
Today, we celebrate them—not just for their potential, but for their humanity. We see them. We hear them. And we stand committed to ensuring they are mentally supported to thrive.
At EduTimes Africa, we believe that nurturing the mind of the boy child is one of the greatest investments Africa can make. Let this year’s International Day of the Boy Child be a turning point—where mental health is not an afterthought, but a foundational part of raising boys into whole, healthy men.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.