Our Approach
At A MAN MUST CRY, we believe mental health is more than just talking, it’s about real change in people’s lives.
We combine professional help, cultural wisdom, lived experience, and practical skills to help men heal, grow, and thrive.
Our work is built on:
- Professional care and community support
- Learning from lived experiences
- Working with cultural and faith leaders
- Training for men, women, and youth as mental health allies.
- GBV-responsive mental health education for men.
- Helping people earn a living while they heal
1. Finding the Real Cause
We start by creating safe spaces where men can speak openly. Using simple tools and careful listening, we help uncover the real reasons behind their struggles like trauma, loss, joblessness, substance use, family problems, or illness.
Why it matters: You can’t fix what you don’t understand.
2. Healing Circles
We bring boys and men together in small groups based on shared experiences. With the help of trained guides, we mix talking, peer support, storytelling, creative arts, and mindfulness to help people feel connected, supported, and understood.
Why it matters: Healing is easier when you’re not alone.
3. Raising Peer Champions
From each group, we train those who have made meaningful progress in healing to guide others. These champions run circles, mentor peers, and spread mental health awareness in their communities.
Why it matters: Change lasts longer when it comes from the community itself.
4. Supporting Livelihoods
Once someone has started healing, we help them find ways to earn an income. We co-create to offer training, mentorship, and small start-up support for businesses or jobs.
Why it matters: Financial stability keeps the mind at peace.
5. Spreading the Change
We make sure healing reaches beyond one person to families and whole communities. This includes:
- A MAN MUST CRY Mental Health Walks – monthly walks to speak openly, encouraging connection, and breaking the silence around mental health and fight stigma.
- Youth & School Programs – teaching boys and young men healthy ways to handle emotions.
- Storytelling & Media – using spoken word, radio, and events to keep mental health in the spotlight.
- Working with cultural and faith leaders – mixing professional care with local wisdom and spiritual support.
- Gender-Inclusive Engagement – Working with women and youth to foster community- wide support.
SUSTAINABILITY MODELS
- Community Partnerships – Collaborating with NGOs, CBOs, religious leaders, local chiefs, traditional healers, and government agencies for resource sharing.
- Merchandise Sales – Branded t-shirts and awareness products to fund programs.
- Grants & Donations – Seeking local and international funding for projects.
- Training Services – Offering workshops and safe-space facilitation training to institutions and corporates.
- Volunteer Network – Harnessing the power of skilled volunteers to reduce operational costs.
