Silently Drowning

He laughs at work. He jokes at parties. He posts family selfies on weekends. But at night, he cries in silence, afraid to admit he’s overwhelmed. That’s the story of too many African men and women abroad — slowly drowning in expectations, afraid of seeming weak.

In our communities, strength is survival. Many of us were raised to “pray it away,” to “be strong,” or to “just push through.” Therapy is often seen as a luxury, or worse, a weakness. But emotional pain is real. And when unspoken, it poisons everything: relationships, work, self-esteem.

Depression doesn’t always look like tears. Sometimes it’s silence. Withdrawal. Chronic fatigue. Or even anger. The pressure to succeed abroad, to send money home, to maintain a perfect image — it breaks people from the inside.

It’s time we normalize talking. Checking in. Saying “I’m not okay.” Mental health is not a foreign concept. In our villages, elders listened. Grandmothers gave counsel. Community healed. We can reclaim that — with modern tools and cultural compassion.

If you're reading this and struggling silently — you're not alone. Your pain is valid. And seeking help is not weakness, it’s wisdom. Speak. Share. Heal. Because your life matters, not just your performance.