Every year, November 19 passes quietly as a day set aside to celebrate International Men’s Day-a day now meant to focus on men’s well-being and their positive contributions, in juxtaposition with the unique struggles they face.
Yet unlike other global observances, this one tends to pass without much conversation, recognition, or even basic acknowledgement. That silence alone says something important about how society views men and the issues that affect them.
The truth is, men are expected to be strong, unshaken, always “fine,” and in total control. Society celebrates their achievements but rarely gives room to their pain. International Men’s Day challenges this mindset. It reminds the world that men, too, carry emotional burdens, pressure, expectations, and silent battles that most often go unnoticed because they are taught to hide them.
It is not about elevating men above anyone else; it is about recognizing that men are human beings before they are anything else. They are fathers trying to provide, sons trying to make their families proud, brothers trying to be protectors of their siblings, and young men trying to make their way in a world that demands toughness and perfection at every step. Their effort in families, communities, workplaces, and society should be recognized loud and clear.
Most importantly, International Men’s Day raises awareness of the need for better support for men’s mental health. Rates of depression, stress, substance abuse, and even suicide among men continue to rise globally. Many suffer in silence, afraid of judgments of weakness. But the reality is that strength is not the absence of struggle; it’s the courage to face those struggles, seek help, and be open about them.
Today is to remind us that men, too, deserve empathy, support, and spaces where they can express themselves without shame. They deserve to be celebrated not only for what they do but for who they are: imperfect, hardworking, loving, and human.
As the world marks November 19, let us not be oblivious to the men around us. Let us appreciate them, check on them, uplift them, and remind them that their well-being matters too. International Men’s Day may not be loud, but its message is powerful: men deserve recognition and real compassion, an opportunity to be seen beyond society’s expectations.
Happy International Men’s Day to all those men who give, support, and sacrifice on the path forward, many times when nobody even notices.
