Dear Editor,
A few months ago, social media in Jamaica was buzzing with phrases like “Hold up yuh stress” and “Weh yuh bawl fah? Yuh a gyal?” As a Jamaican man and a teacher who interacts with young males daily, I couldn’t help but feel deeply concerned. These phrases may seem like jokes or cultural banter, but they reflect a very real and dangerous mindset, one that teaches our boys and men to suppress their emotions rather than deal with them.
Too often, men in our society are expected to be providers, protectors, and performers, but not allowed to be vulnerable. Expressing sadness, anxiety, or emotional fatigue is often seen as weakness. So instead of talking, many suffer in silence. And that silence can lead to depression, substance abuse, or even suicide.
As someone who sees how personal struggles can affect students’ focus and motivation, I’ve had young men quietly open up about the pressure they’re under. Pressure they feel they can’t talk about at home, on the street, or even with their peers. The only place they feel safe to say “mi stressed” is in the classroom or after school, when the jokes are gone and it’s just real talk.
We need to change the narrative. Crying doesn’t make you less of a man. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness. We must teach our boys that strength also means knowing when to speak up. And we must create safe spaces—at home, in schools, in churches, and online, where men can feel heard without shame or ridicule.
Mental health is not a gender issue. It’s a human issue. And it’s time we start treating it that way.
I am,
Kewayne Davidson,
Educator