Depression in African Men: Causes, Symptoms, Types and Treatment
By: By Chika Jones, BNSc, RN RM, RPHN, Freelance Health Writer and Tony Tao. Medically reviewed by the DLHA Editorial Team
October15, 2025
Three stylishly dressed African men posing together in a photo outdoors. Click on image to enlarge. Image credit: Freepik
In Africa, almost 29 million people are living with depression, yet men’s mental health is rarely talked about. Most of the focus goes to general mental health or women and child health, while men’s struggles mostly remain hidden.
Depression among African men is not stressed enough, and this silence creates serious problems. In this article, you will learn about the causes and risk factors for depression, the common types, symptoms, treatments, and the challenges that African men face in getting the care that they need.
Depression is a very complex mental health condition that affects people globally. In Africa and as far as men are concerned, it affects men of all ages, backgrounds, and income statuses. It also affects men differently from women.
While the exact causes of depression are not well known, four broad categories of factors have been identified as contributing to the risk of developing the condition: These are:
These include:
These include:
Social isolation: Lack of social support, loneliness and isolated living can contribute to depression.
Culture: Societal expectations and practices that discourage men from expressing their emotions may prevent them from seeking help.
Role conflicts: Traditional expectations of the demonstration of strength and forebrearance can make it difficult for men to accept and deal with their mental health issues.
These include:
Chronic medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as chronic pain, chronic disability from stroke, trauma, kidney, and heart diseases, etc., can also contribute to depression.
Medications: Some medications, such as corticosteroids, antidepressants, cancer curing drugs, etc., can have depressive side effects.
These include:
Catastrophic Events: Wars, prolonged conflicts, drought, famine, flooding, displacement, etc. can contribute to depression.
Common types of depression that African men may have. Click on image to enlarge. Background image credit: Freepik
Depression does not affect everyone in the same way. African men experience different kinds of depression depending on their lifestyle, environment, and personal struggles.
Some forms may last for years, while others come after specific life events or due to the use of substances. The types of depression most common in African men are:
Understanding these types is important so that men can get the right help instead of suffering in silence.
Major Depressive Disorder, called MDD, is a severe type of depression. Men with MDD feel a deep sadness that does not go away for weeks or even months. They lose interest in things they once enjoyed, struggle to work, and withdraw from family and friends. African men with MDD may be told to “stay strong” or hide their feelings, which makes the condition worse.
This type of depression lasts for an extended time, sometimes for years, but its symptoms are not always severe. Men with dysthymia may not look extremely sad, but they live with constant low energy, poor motivation, and negative thoughts.
Because the symptoms are mild but long-lasting, they are often ignored or perceived as part of someone’s personality.
Post traumatic depression occurs after troubling events such as war, political unrest, violence, grand natural disaster, etc. Many African men are victims of these and develop long-term sadness, fear, and hopelessness thereafter. Men may also show anger and aggression instead of openly expressing sadness. These symptoms may affect how they live, their personality and their daily activities.
There’re ways to overcome anxiety. Unfortunately, African men do not readily seek help voluntarily because of stigma, the culture of masculinity (“be strong”) and the absence of readily accessible mental health services in many African countries. This makes post-traumatic depression a silent problem that affects men, families, and entire communities.
Alcohol and drug use are sometimes used as a way to cope with stress, unemployment, or social pressure. But these substances can lead to or worsen depression. Research combining results from 53 separate studies found that approximately one in five people in Sub-Saharan Africa have used some type of substance in their lifetime.
Many African men develop substance-induced depression, where their mood problems are directly linked to what they consume. Instead of seeing it as a health issue, society labels these men as irresponsible or immoral, which prevents them from getting medical treatment.
This type of depression in African men happens after a difficult life event, like family problems, being diagnosed with a chronic disease like HIV, losing a job, facing financial problems, or even going through a divorce. Since men are mostly expected to provide for their families, such situations can cause deep emotional pain.
Situational depression may not last as long as major depression, but it can still disrupt daily life and lead to harmful coping methods. Recognising it early can help men recover faster.
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a depressive state linked to the changes in seasons and sunlight. In Africa, it is less common than in colder countries, but it still exists, especially in regions that are further away from the equator with shorter daylight during certain times of the year.
Men with SAD may feel low energy, sleep too much, and lose interest in daily activities when the seasons change. Since SAD is not widely recognised in Africa, it is usually mistaken for tiredness or lack of discipline.
Examples of depression symptoms in African men. Click on image to enlarge.
Depression shows itself in many ways, but in men, the symptoms can sometimes look different from what people expect. In African men, cultural pressure to “be strong” often masks the signs, making it harder to notice and treat them. Below are some common symptoms that African men may experience and they may range from mild, moderate to severe:
This makes depression look like a temper problem rather than a health issue.
These physical signs are sometimes treated as separate health issues, while the root cause, depression, remains unrecognised or ignored.
These are higher order brain dysfunctions. They impact work performance, weakening men’s ability to manage family responsibilities and include:
Since men are expected to provide for their families, these struggles can bring extra shame and fear of being judged.
Depression in African men is treated as in any other racial group. This usually involves a combination of non-medication and medication options. Professional healthcare providers with appropriate sociocultural awareness and knowledge are likely to provide better satisfaction to Africans with depression.
Non-medication treatment will be successful when it combines culturally appropriate professional help, community support, and personal care. Accepting men’s struggles without judgment enables them to seek assistance early and recover more quickly.
For many African men, medication is a needed option in the treatment of depression. While counseling and family support are very helpful, some men need medications to control symptoms. These work by balancing the chemicals in the brain that are associated with the regulation of mood and energy.
Antidepressants
Doctors give antidepressants to reduce sadness, hopelessness, and other symptoms.
There are different types of antidepressant medicines, and each works differently. Your doctor will know which one will be safest and most helpful for you. It is very important to take only the medicine your doctor recommends so that you can get better safely.
Antidepressants usually take some time before you begin to feel better. They must always be taken as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Always talk with your provider if you have concerns taking the medication.
You should see a doctor or other healthcare professionals near to you if you experience any of the following symptoms for more than two weeks at a time:
It is more so important to seek medical attention when the above symptoms are associated with:
Your treatment outcome is dependent on seeing a doctor early for your symptoms and getting the personalised care that you need.
In many African countries, men and women alike face numerous challenges in getting the full complement of care they need to combat depression and other mental health concerns. This is due to a variety of factors that reach beyond stigma and cultural taboos to include:
Most of these challenges can be overcome with self-education, community awareness raising, and good policies that are backed by adequate funding for mental healthcare services. Some African countries are doing better than others in this matter.
Depression in African men is a serious issue that receives little attention. When you educate yourself about its types, symptoms, and treatment options, you are in a better place to recognise the condition early and get help for yourself or a loved one for the best recovery outcome. With support from families, communities, and better healthcare, African men can overcome depression and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Related:
Depression among African women
Who is at risk for major depression?
About the authors:
Chika Jones is a freelance health writer, registered nurse, midwife and public health specialist with interest in mental health advocacy, community education and awareness raising
Tony Tao is the CEO of a pharmaceutical machinery enterprise and has extensive interest and experience in facilitating production and access to affordable medicines especially in developing countries.
Published: October 15, 2025
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