Brooklyn Park, Minnesota – E be like say men no fit hide again! As dem gather for Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center, na serious gist about men health dem dey yarn. Na Saturday dem gather for di early celebration of International Men’s Day, and e be hosted by Global Fatherhood Foundation (GFF). Na dis organization don dey push men wellness matter since 2008, as dem don dey organize dis celebration for di fifth time now.
Samuel Mwangi, di brain behind GFF, talk say, “Dis International Men’s Day no be just for today, but every day wey men and boys go know say dem dey important.” E follow am with di matter say di event na opportunity to recognize wetin men dey contribute to community and di workplace, make dem sabi say men get value.
As di colorful event dey unfold, e don turn from small gathering to big cultural fiesta. Na people from different backgrounds, from African American to Asian immigrants, dem dey come full ground to celebrate. “We just wan make men and boys know say, no be only dem dey struggle,” Mwangi talk. “We need mentors to help uplift dem wey dey face wahala.”
Di International Men’s Day na every year on November 19 since 1999. Na day wey we dey shine spotlight on di positive contributions from men and boys around di globe. We dey talk about their wellness, both mental and physical, and how dem fit handle their wahala without hiding under di bush.
According to di report wey come from Department of Health and Human Services, about 61 million adults for di U.S. dey experience mental health challenges. But, na wetin dem go do? Majority of dem, about 52%, dey suffer in silence without seeking help. Dem say men no wan look weak, and na why plenty of dem still dey bottled everything inside. But organizations like GFF dey work hard to quench di stigma, so men go fit open mouth talk about their feelings.
“For this country, many men dey keep plenty things to their chest,” Mwangi add. “But dis gathering na di place for open conversations.” Dis year, di theme be “Building Bridges: Empowering Men and Boys to Connect and Thrive.” E mean say dem wan help men find support system wey go make dem belong.
Among di VIPs wey attend di event na Brooklyn Park Mayor Hollies Winston. Him talk say when we dey support men, e go make di community stronger. “Healthier men dey contribute to a stronger community,” him say. “Men dey struggle with wetin e mean to be a man and a father in dis changing society.”
Di Mayor talk as Brooklyn Park dey one of di most multicultural cities for di state, and e add say dis na golden opportunity for men to learn from each other. “When we dey mix with different cultures, we fit learn how dem dey handle di fatherhood wahala, and e dey make us better men.”
Rep. Lee, wey represent District 34B for Minnesota House, also jump inside di discussion about representation and men’s issues. “Men’s health dey always take backseat, but dis conversation matter pass,” Lee talk. E also emphasize di importance of mentorship, saying na wetin go help shape di youth for di community.
As di event dey continue, vendors dey showcase resources wey go help di community. African Career, Education and Resource (ACER) dey ask di people about any long-term COVID symptoms, while health clinics dey offer free blood pressure checks. Nurses dey share information on medical care, mental health, and preventive screening services too.
Na so di International Men’s Day take land for Brooklyn Park this year, as men dey come together to connect, share stories, and create support systems wey go help dem rise above di wahala. E no go easy, but together, dem fit face di world like real champions!
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor@nnn.ng
