By Phillimon Backson
Zuwa Energy, in partnership with Beyond Sports, has called for greater openness on men’s mental health, urging men to break the culture of silence and seek support when faced with life’s challenges.
The call was made during a Men’s Mental Health Walk and Talk held on Saturday at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, which brought together men from different professions and age groups to discuss issues affecting their mental well-being.
The event, which included a walk through parts of the city before returning to BICC for interactive discussions, provided participants with a safe platform to openly discuss topics often considered taboo, including suicide, addiction, substance abuse, peer pressure, financial stress, physical health, and spiritual well-being.
Speaking during the event, Zuwa Energy Chief Executive Officer, Jones Ntaukira, encouraged men struggling with addiction to adopt the SPEAK approach.
Ntaukira explained that the first step is to acknowledge the problem, followed by protecting oneself from environments that encourage harmful behaviour, replacing destructive habits with positive ones, surrounding oneself with supportive people, and knowing when to seek professional or personal help.
Ntaukira emphasized the importance of men supporting one another.
“As men, we are often expected to show up for everyone else.
Today, we are showing up for ourselves, for each other, and for the future of our nation,” He said.
Beyond Sports Chief Executive Officer, Eranive N’gombe, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to promoting mental wellness, saying sports can serve as an important platform for building stronger communities and encouraging open conversations about mental health.
He said partnerships such as the one with Zuwa Energy are helping to create safe spaces where men can connect, share experiences, and support one another without fear of stigma.
The organisers described the event as a significant step towards raising awareness about men’s mental health in Malawi, expressing hope that similar initiatives will continue to challenge stigma, encourage help-seeking behaviour, and promote healthier communities.
