Depression is an illness — a state of mind, a state of being that unfolds in such nuanced ways, that I cannot reduce it to a single classification. However, it is something I call a grave. Not everyone reaches it, but some do.

Photo credit: Pinterest. Work by: Jesse Draxler.

In this article, I’ll be focusing on two specific problems I believe contributes to depression among African youths: Culture and Gender norms.

As we know, culture differs across countries, but research has shown that it influences mental health in similar ways. In many cases, depression is seen as a weakness, a source of shame. Quite unsettling, isn’t it?

Psychological struggles are viewed as personal failings or weaknesses, rather than legitimate health concerns. This stigma, which has ingrained itself into society, desensitizes a lot of people — especially the male demographic from seeking help, inspiring them to suffer in silence, owing to the fact that manliness as painted by society must “flee” from the perception of anything that represents “weakness” or “fragility”.

Women, on the other hand, face the expectation of catering to the emotional needs of others; being told to endure disrespect or hardships quietly and “valiantly”, being hushed at attempts to exert the human right that is, expression. These rigid roles and rules that somehow patriarchy has managed to keep alive, does not only contribute to the deterioration of their mental well being but ends up…