By Julius Peter, Abuja
A member of the House of Representatives representing Surulere II Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Hon. Architect Lanre Okunlola, has called for greater attention to men’s mental health, stressing the need for society to take the psychological wellbeing of men seriously.
Okunlola, who is also the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Aids, Loans and Debt Management, made the call at the 2026 Men’s Mental Health Conference and Award Ceremony organised by the Peace Progress and Unity Global Initiative (PPUGI), in conjunction with PFA Consulting Firms.
The conference, held under the theme, “Providing Direction and Support 5.0: Breaking the Silence – Mental Health Support for Our Security Personnel,” brought together political leaders, traditional rulers, security stakeholders, professionals and other members of civil society.
Speaking at the event, Okunlola described the initiative as timely and a positive development, noting that mental health challenges among men should no longer be treated as an issue that must be hidden or ignored.
According to him, there is an urgent need to create an environment where men, particularly those serving in the nation’s security sector, can openly discuss their mental and emotional challenges and have access to appropriate support.
He stressed that the pressures associated with security duties, including exposure to violence, loss of colleagues, operational stress and prolonged periods away from families, could have serious effects on the mental wellbeing of personnel if adequate support systems were not provided.
The lawmaker urged stakeholders to strengthen programmes aimed at promoting mental health awareness, counselling and psychosocial support, particularly for security personnel who operate in difficult and high-risk environments.
Okunlola also encouraged men to pay greater attention to their personal wellbeing and seek assistance whenever they experience emotional or psychological difficulties.
He said men must understand that seeking help should not be regarded as a sign of weakness, adding that preserving one’s mental health was essential to living a productive and fulfilling life
He further urged men to take good care of themselves, stressing that “life is for the living.”
The lawmaker commended PPUGI and its partners for organising the conference, describing it as an important platform for creating awareness, breaking the culture of silence surrounding men’s mental health and encouraging meaningful conversations about psychological wellbeing.
He noted that initiatives of this nature could contribute significantly to building a healthier society, while also helping to improve the welfare and effectiveness of security personnel.
The conference also featured discussions on the challenges confronting men’s mental health, with particular emphasis on the psychological needs of security personnel and the importance of providing them with appropriate support.
Participants emphasised the need for government institutions, private organisations, civil society groups and families to work together to address mental health challenges and promote a culture in which individuals can seek help without fear of discrimination or stigma.
Among the dignitaries who attended the event was the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd.), alongside politicians, traditional rulers and other stakeholders.
The gathering provided an opportunity for stakeholders to exchange views on ways to strengthen mental health support systems, particularly for men and members of the security services who often face significant physical and psychological pressures in the course of their duties.
The organisers said the conference was aimed at encouraging greater awareness, providing direction and support to men, and breaking the silence surrounding mental health challenges.
They stressed that sustained advocacy, early intervention, counselling services and stronger institutional support would be necessary to ensure that men, especially security personnel, receive the assistance required to maintain their psychological wellbeing and continue contributing positively to society.
The event also featured an award ceremony recognising individuals and organisations considered to have made contributions to peacebuilding, unity, leadership, security and other areas of national development.
