Somy Ali, actress-turned-humanitarian and founder of the non-profit No More Tears, is known for her unfiltered voice on abuse, trauma, and healing. As Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month gains global momentum, Somy shares a powerful and deeply personal reflection on why society must shed its outdated notions of masculinity and prioritize emotional wellbeing for all. “As someone who has studied psychology, worked with thousands of abuse victims, and witnessed unimaginable trauma firsthand through No More Tears, I can tell you with certainty: pain does not discriminate by gender. Neither should compassion,” says Somy. She stresses that for too long, society has upheld a dangerous myth that being a man means being silent, strong, and emotionless. “That myth is a thief. It steals joy, connection, vulnerability—and in the worst cases, it takes lives. We are long overdue in challenging it.” Having grown up in cultures where masculinity is measured by emotional suppression, Somy reflects on her own experiences with men close to her. “I’ve seen men I love—my father, my brother, former partners—swallow and hide grief, anxiety, shame, even childhood trauma, just to be ‘man enough.’ And that breaks my heart. Because vulnerability is not weakness. It is the highest form of courage.” Somy, a survivor herself, shares that she has always worn her heart on her sleeve. But she recognizes that such openness doesn’t come easily to most men. “Too often, male friendships are built around shared interests, not shared truths. A man may talk about sports, politics, or films—but not the childhood abuse he never told anyone about, or the depression that leaves him numb. And even when he’s ready to speak, he often finds no safe space to land.” So what can be done? Somy believes the solution lies in both parenting and societal restructuring. “We must rewire how we raise our boys. Let them cry without shame. Let them say, ‘I’m scared,’ or ‘I feel hurt,’ and affirm them for it—not scold them. We need emotionally intelligent sons, not emotionally silent ones.” She adds, “We must stop mocking vulnerability in men. Stop calling them ‘too soft,’ ‘too sensitive,’ or ‘not man enough’ when they open up. That toxicity kills.” Somy calls for systemic and cultural changes that foster safe emotional expression. “We must create spaces—in schools, in workplaces, in friend groups—where mental health conversations are normalized. If a man sees his peers talking about therapy, heartbreak, or anxiety, it gives him permission to do the same.” Her message is clear and resounding, “Healing is not gendered. And silence is not noble. It is time we let men know their emotions matter. Their stories matter. And that there is strength—tremendous strength—in asking for help.”