Frankly, I wouldn’t call myself the loudest advocate for men’s mental health. I care about mental health awareness for everyone — across all genders. Still, the reality remains: when it comes to men, mental health is often ignored, both by society and by men themselves. We’re raised to “man up,” to stay tough, to keep emotions buried deep like they’re shameful. That kind of silence might look like strength on the outside, but inside, it weighs a ton.

So, if you’re reading this and you’re a man — or you identify as one — take your mental health seriously. Rugged it, I guess. It’s not easy. But it’s necessary. You deserve to be whole.

On that note, I turned to a group of people often stereotyped as carrying the heaviest emotional burdens — artists. The image of the “tortured creative” is as old as time: Van Gogh with his severed ear. Basquiat haunted by addiction and genius. Even closer to home, we’ve seen how mental health struggles shadow the lives of our most brilliant creators. But what happens when we push past the stereotype and actually check in?

Art has always been more than aesthetics. For many, it’s a lifeline. A way to process the chaos within, to scream without sound, to feel seen in a world that often doesn’t understand. Studies have shown that engaging with art — whether through creation or consumption — can reduce stress, regulate mood, and build resilience. For artists, the canvas often becomes a mirror, a journal, a sanctuary.

I spoke to three incredible visual artists — painters and illustrators — about their relationship with mental health, creativity, and vulnerability.. Alongside their words, they also shared original artwork — visual reflections of inner battles, healing, and growth.

So here’s to the ones who create in spite of the darkness — or maybe because of it. This is a conversation about art, emotion, purpose, and the complicated beauty of being human.

Question: How does art help you in your lowest times, consuming and creating?

Muyiwà

Purpose for me is the reason why I’m here and when I’m fulfilling my purpose which is doing what I’m here to do(to love and to create), I’m at my highest state of spirituality, I’m zen when I’m doing these two things and so fortunately for me, my art style is therapeutic in the sense that it helps me channel the state of mind I had when I was about 7 years old. This means that it’s all high vibrations for me when I’m creating. So I’m guessing that when I get to my lowest(which I haven’t been in for a while), I will create and the eternal joy that comes from doing that which is my purpose will fill me up.

Mukhtar

In my lowest art really does help me, the views of paint strokes with the brushes, the irregular textures, ideas etc seeing it visually and just having that click and understanding at first site really makes me reflect on so many areas within my mind and in audio also just the idea of not being the only individual that feels what i feel and hearing it from someone else’s work is surreal for sure. I know it’s a very sensitive side that isn’t dueled on as much but it’s real.

From a consumer perspective it does help

Me for sure it’s primarily a reflective thing when viewing certain pieces including my mine it gives me a sense of purpose, hope for progression and confidence like that subconscious feel being poured out like that like it definitely hits me differently. For me when creating and being in those kinds of states it gives me an open minded view to really go for it because this is my template I’m not really someone that talks a lot so when I feel what I feel I just do it with the feeling of just letting loose of what has been hanging. I feel being in does states is important as well in life you really know who you are from experiences like that it’s deep.Life is not all fun and games yk.

Wase

It’s almost a part of everything i do, whether I’m making stuffs or when I’m consuming stuffs like reading books,finding new music,drawing and painting. it’s helps me to escape from reality for a brief moment,exploring different worlds and being inspired by them.when i feel kinda overwhelmed or numb, it kinda helps me process those emotions in different ways that I didn’t know I could. It gives me a sense of comfort and purpose, like a proof of existence that I’m still alive

‘Alienated’ by Mukhtar Umar

Question: What’s your view on the romanticizing of suffering and mental health issues especially for artists and men

Muyiwa

I think the Nigerian society kind of encourages the romanticizing of suffering or sufferhead Olympics as some would call it. While the importance of working hard can never be over emphasized, I feel like we’ve taken it up a notch in the sense that one now has to conspicuously show that they are working, striving, hustling to be able to be at peace with the results that come from doing so and honestly, I don’t think it’s a healthy way to live. Mental health is real, it’s not a made up concept and more men are beginning to understand that. It’s going to take a while for the majority to come to terms with it but work is being done to spread the awareness of it.

Mukhtar

I feel people do it because of the kind of validation they get “oh his so dark” some artist are out here faking the whole thing it almost has become an aesthetic thing which really irritates me I mean for someone that has gone through 1 or 2 seeing or even hearing that it’s a thing people do is sad I feel we as men and artist really need to be honest with ourselves fr people are dying to this things on a daily and it shouldn’t be taken for granted i remember there was this musical artist widely known as xxxtentacion the portrayal they had on that guy about him being fake woke or depressed was crazy little did they know he really be going through some crazy stuff even from his upbringing so this is where it becomes misunderstood due to the false impressions from some of these weird ass artist looking for money and validation.

Wase

I think it’s a very dangerous thing, especially as an artist struggling with adhd. It’s been romanticized to a point it doesn’t feel like reality to me anymore , the constant burn outs,the guilt of inconsistency,and various unfinished works,and as a man living in Africa especially Nigeria ,the pressure from society to be productive and strong and not open up, it can feel very isolating and painful.. it makes you kinda believe you have to endure suffering in order to be creative,and the healing or asking for help waters down ur art and that’s the wrong mentality.

‘This too shall pass’ by Muyiwà Akhigbe

Question: Do you believe in therapy

Muyiwa

I may not believe in painkillers but they do the job. I may also not believe in therapy but it’s effective, I’ve seen it work and it’s helping a lot of people navigate complicated internal battles. It’s funny how a neurosurgeon can fix someone’s brain but they can’t help them navigate complex feelings.

Mukhtar

Tbh not really I mean everyone is different at the end of the day some people have gotten so much relief from therapy while some haven’t, i personally haven’t gone to any I just feel it also depends on the intensity of your mental state like for instance someone that’s lonely will most likely not see a therapist cus he/she’s situation is very clear compared to someone that is suffering from an addiction or something else related. I feel it all depends but for me I won’t necessarily go to a therapist I would want to battle and overcome what ever I’m dealing with on my own, cus there’s a reason it came to you.

Wase

Yeah I do I think it’s a necessary and very important space,it’s help us to let go and speak our minds and thoughts without feeling pressured or judged especially in this country I wouldn’t say it’s a solution to problems but rather a tool that can help us understand ourselves better,access difficulties and traumas we didn’t know exist and guides us towards healing

Question: Advice to men and artist going through mental health issues currently

Muyiwa

your feelings are valid and shouldn’t be ignored. Therapy helps, please seek and speak to a professional.as an artist, your mental is your greatest asset, it should be priority abeg.

Mukhtar

To all the real artists out there doing their thing you matter, it’s a rough patch but can slowly be overcomed stay Honest with yourself, Pray to God on a daily basis, open your mind and spirit into positivity keep fighting and pushing because at the end of the day there’s actually light at the end of the tunnel it’s just going to take some time. Always try to make yourself happy with the little things like good conversation and surround yourself with good people as well. Just figuring out and doing things that gives you that sense of essence and joy really makes you want to even go harder and the fulfillment you get afterwards? Priceless. Let your art reflect those pains both don’t let it cage you forever. Honestly on a general note the world is really messed up you just have to make good use of the time you have left and love one another for real.💜

Wase

I guess it would be you’re not alone you might feel invisible or misunderstood to by others, I’ve been there. Find a community of friends you trust and share similar interests and experiences. Also learning to open up and being vulnerable whether it’s to a friend, family member, journaling, even making art itself can be very helpful

‘Lost’ by Wase Tawio