By Etop Ekanem

THE Chairperson of Soledotun Abdulkarim-Yusuf Foundation for the Empowerment of the Boy Child, Hajia  Soledotun Abdulkarim-Yusuf has made a case for the mental health of the boy child, saying his mental health, mindset and future matter.

She stated this in a paper she presented during the celebration of International Boy Child Day at Rolex International School, Ojo, Lagos under the Get Inspired Power Mentorship Programme in collaboration with the Soledotun Abdulkarim-Yusuf Foundation for the Empowerment of the Boy Child:

According to her, “Today, on International Boy Child Day, we gather not just to celebrate boys, but to raise our voices for their well-being, their dreams, and their struggles. My message to you today is clear: The mental health of the boy child matters. His mindset matters. His future matters.

“Across cultures and communities, boys are raised with rules such as ‘boys don’t cry; be a man and
You’re too soft.’ These words, though often said in love, silence emotions, bury trauma, and build internal prisons. Boys grow into men who don’t know how to ask for help, express their feelings, or process failure.

“Mental health is not gendered. It is not a sign of weakness. It is a foundation of strength. According to global studies, one in five children and adolescents experiences mental health disorders. Yet, boys are significantly less likely to seek help due to stigma and societal expectations. Untreated emotional wounds often manifest later as anger, violence, substance abuse or depression.

“Mental health is a state of well-being where a person can cope with stress, build meaningful relationships, work productively, realize their potential and take sound decisions. For the boy child, this means creating safe environments where he is allowed to feel, to talk, to fall, and to grow — without shame.
“At the heart of every successful man is a resilient mindset. Your mindset is your inner voice — the way you talk to yourself when no one is watching. We must raise boys with a growth mindset — one that welcomes challenges, learns from feedback, and keeps moving forward.

“A healthy mindset helps boys handle pressure; take responsibility; stay focused on long-term goals; Avoid peer pressure and believe in their unique journey.”
She listed some of the obstacles a boy-child faces to include cultural stigma surrounding mental health; lack of emotional role models; abuse, neglect, or bullying; suppressed emotions; unrealistic academic and social expectations and lack of safe spaces for expression.

Soledotun advised parents and guardians to “replace shame with support; Let your boys cry and express emotions; Affirm their efforts, not just results and make time to talk and listen without judgment.
“For mentors and educators, introduce emotional intelligence in the curriculum; Celebrate diversity in talents — not every boy will be a doctor or engineer; Model healthy emotional behaviour and Encourage leadership, kindness, and vulnerability

“As boys, speak up — there is strength in sharing; Learn from failure — don’t let it define you; Be kind to yourself — mindset is built over time and Know that help is not weakness — it is wisdom.”

“If we want to raise strong, visionary, compassionate men, we must start by protecting and empowering the boy child — emotionally, mentally, and psychologically. Let us create a world where boys can feel and still be seen as strong; Failure becomes a teacher, not a tormentor; Help is encouraged, not mocked and and mindset becomes a weapon for greatness.”