Toxic Masculinity and Mental Health in the Arab World | Lebanon News

Lebanon News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Sep 17, 2026 · 1m

In the Arab world, societal expectations of masculinity often demand toughness and emotional suppression, creating a toxic cycle where men avoid seeking help for mental health struggles. Fear of being seen as weak or failing to meet cultural norms leads many to hide depression, sometimes even describing it through physical symptoms. This emotional repression can lead to alexithymia and unhealthy coping mechanisms like overwork or substance use. Yet, there’s a growing movement recognizing that true strength lies in emotional honesty—and creating safe spaces for men to share without judgment is…