By Rebecca Mumba
Men account for the majority of mental health admissions at Zomba Mental Hospital, a trend that aligns with police data showing high levels of suicide and under-reporting of gender-based violence among males.
Hospital statistics for the period January to March 2026 show that out of 503 admissions, 405 were males, representing 80.5 per cent, while females accounted for 98, or 19.5 per cent.
The facility also recorded 572 outpatient cases in January, 465 in February and 479 in March, with January registering the highest number of admissions at 188.
Patients aged between 25 and 45 formed the largest group at 282 admissions, followed by those aged 10 to 24 at 170 cases. Adults aged 46 to 60 accounted for 42 cases, while those aged 61 and above recorded nine.
Cannabis-related mental and behavioural disorders were the leading diagnosis at 32 per cent, followed by schizophrenia at 31.2 per cent and schizoaffective disorder at 17.3 per cent.
Zomba Central Hospital accounted for 53.1 per cent of referrals to the facility.
Clinical Psychologist Professor Chiwoza Bandawe said the pattern reflects how social expectations around masculinity shape men’s mental health behaviour.
“Men are socialised that masculinity is about being strong and brave, and many suffer in silence,” he said.
He said many men delay seeking help because emotional struggle is often viewed as weakness.
“Right from an early age, it becomes imprinted in them that asking for help is a sign of weakness,” he said.
Bandawe said this delay is often worsened by substance use, which can trigger or intensify mental health conditions.
“There is a very strong link between untreated mental health conditions, substance use and crisis admission,” he said.
Police data mirrors the hospital findings, showing a broader pattern of vulnerability among men.
Deputy Director for Community Policing Superintendent Alexander Ngwala said only two percent of victims reporting gender-based violence at Victim Support Units are men, despite evidence that men also experience abuse.
He said the abuse includes physical, emotional, sexual and economic violence, but men are less likely to report such cases.
“Men also face physical, emotional, sexual and economic abuse, but they rarely report to police or other service delivery points for unknown reasons,” he said.
Ngwala said suicide data further reinforces the trend. In 2024, a total of 597 suicide cases were recorded, of which 479 were men. In 2025, 565 cases were recorded, with 434 involving men.
He said the figures reflect a pattern of silent suffering among men, linking reluctance to seek help with social expectations of masculinity.
He added that police and partners are working to strengthen psychosocial support services and encourage early reporting of abuse and distress.
Mental health stakeholders have called for stronger awareness and early intervention as Malawi marks Mental Health Awareness Month in June, saying stigma continues to hinder access to care.
