Broken Father, Broken Son: JTAH Sparks Conversation on Men’s Mental Health | ClipTV Online

The need to address the emotional and psychological challenges faced by men took centre stage. The 2026 National Stakeholders Conference 4.0 organised by the Jashabel Touch-A-Heart (JTAH) Foundation themed: “Men, Why the Silence? Welcomes dignitaries across the nation.

The conference brought together human rights advocates, and stakeholders to discuss the often-overlooked struggles confronting men and boys in society. The conference also highlights the importance of creating safe spaces for them to express their emotions.

Speaking at the event, the convener, Mrs. Favour Benson, JTAH Foundation founder noted that the initiative is one of its kind. She stated that it was inspired by the realization that while considerable attention has been devoted to issues affecting women and girls, the challenges facing men and boys have largely remained unaddressed.

She noted, the foundation recognized a critical gap in advocacy and intervention efforts. This has prompted the need to create a platform that encourages men to speak openly about their challenges.

“As a human rights organisation, we noticed that most interventions are targeted at women and girls,” she said. “We began asking ourselves, what happened to the boy child and what happened to the men?” Benson said.

She noted that unresolved emotional trauma among men often affects families and communities, stressing that empowering women alone is not sufficient if the men they interact with are battling unaddressed emotional challenges.

“When you train a girl child and she ends up marrying a broken man, that brokenness can affect the family. That is why we decided to do something for men,” she added.

Also speaking at the conference, the prominent human rights activist and Executive Director of Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, described the initiative as timely and necessary. She highlighted the importance men adequately expressing themselves rather than bottling up their challenges. Additionally, that society often expects men to suppress their emotions regardless of the circumstances they face.

She warned that the culture of silence among men can have far-reaching consequences for families and society at large.

“If we do not understand what men are going through and allow them to express themselves, society will be in disarray,” Okei-Odumakin said.

Odumakin hailed JTAH Foundation for initiating the conversation. She described it as a long-overdue intervention that would contribute to building stronger families, healthier communities, and more responsible leadership.

“This initiative is long overdue, and it will help build better families, better religious leaders, and a better society,” she added.

Chairman of the day, Chief Andy Boyo, called on parents and guardians to raise boys with emotional intelligence. He stated that subjecting them to rigid masculinity is not always the best option.

“You don’t have to be strong, silent and masculine all the time,” he said. “Human beings have emotions. When you are hurting, it is okay to cry, and express yourself,” he noted.

He further urged Nigerian fathers to become more expressive and emotionally available to their children. Boyo also noted that when a boy is broken, this continues as he becomes a father.

“Nigerian fathers must learn to tell their children they love them,” Boyo added.

Participants at the conference commended JTAH Foundation for drawing attention to men’s mental health and emotional well-being, describing the initiative as a significant step towards fostering healthier relationships, stronger families, and a more compassionate society.

The conference concluded with a renewed call for stakeholders, policymakers, faith-based organisations, and community leaders to support efforts aimed at breaking the culture of silence among men and creating avenues for emotional healing, mentorship, and psychological support.