In today’s climate, mental health conversations are becoming more and more common. However, there is still one aspect that is still often overlooked — men’s mental health and wellness. Society still expects men to remain stoic, despite relentless life, relationship and financial pressures. A significant stigma still persists often shaming any form of vulnerability, which pushes many men into emotional isolation, addiction, abusive tendancies and silence. This lack of acknowledgment of their struggles not only harms men but also often leads to devastating effects in their families and communities. On this episode of Circling The Rabbit Hole, I am joined by Kelvin Mutiso, Co-Founder/CEO of OYE Kenya, and Chris Lyimo, a counseling psychologist and interventionist, to confront the systemic neglect of men’s mental health. While Kelvin discusses how financial instability and toxic masculinity can affect men’s emotional well-being, Chris offers a psychological perspective on how unspoken trauma and societal pressure exacerbate addiction and significant mental illnesses. Together, we examine how addressing men’s mental health is not only crucial for their survival but also vital in creating safer and healthier communities—an issue tied directly to the Femicide Marches we had last year in Kenya due to the ongoing Femicide pandemic. As Kelvin says in the episode, “It is time we examine what the original sin was; to ask ourselves: when was the moment we missed the boat in addressing these issues and now the boat is far out in the sea and we are struggling to catch it?” Join us as we unpack the stigma and explore possible solutions. Chris Lyimo is a believer that everyone deserves a second chance. He advocates for us to think through and communicate issues affecting people and aids in providing the clarity necessary for their transformation process, e.g., addiction treatment and recovery, mending relationships. As the lead therapist and interventionist at Creative Insights, Chris is inspired by the possibility of exploring who people truly are, at their core. He considers conversations and storytelling as an important way to access intimacy, freedom, healing, understanding and right action. Connect with Chris on social media @lyimo.chris on Instagram and @Chris Lyimo on Facebook Kelvin Mutiso is a Kenyan entrepreneur and financial innovator who co-founded OYE Kenya (Organized Youth Empowerment Kenya). OYE Kenya focuses on providing accessible financial solutions for underserved communities such as Boda Boda riders, particularly through innovative lending and credit products. Kelvin is also known for advocating for mental health awareness, especially concerning how financial pressures impact emotional well-being, particularly among men. His insights often highlight the intersection of financial challenges, societal expectations, and mental wellness, making him a key voice in conversations around financial literacy and emotional resilience. Connect with Kelvin on social media @kelvinmutiso How can you support this podcast? Subscribe & Rate this episode, Share & leave a comment. Find the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.claire.kinuthia-CTRH Continue the conversation with me on: Instagram https://instagram.com/dr.claire.kinuthia?igshid=NzZlODBkYWE4Ng== TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.claire.kinuthia?_t=8fV6A1bom0c&_r=1 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dr.claire.kinuthia?mibextid=LQQJ4d