WHILE everyone faces moments of feeling overwhelmed, men often encounter societal expectations that prevent them from showing vulnerability.
"Everyone feels overwhelmed at times, yet men, in particular, often face societal pressure to remain unshakable pillars of strength or to hide their struggles entirely. When men try to open up, they are often met with responses like ‘man up’ or ‘do not be weak’.
"This mindset, which I consider a form of toxic femininity, dismisses men’s emotional needs and reinforces harmful stereotypes,” former stateless person, Wong Kueng Hui said in an exclusive interview with Sinar Daily, in conjunction with Movember, a month dedicated to raising awareness about men’s mental and physical health.
Wong’s journey from statelessness to citizenship is a powerful testament to resilience, perseverance and the fight for justice. Throughout his struggle, Wong faced immense mental and physical hardships, with the uncertainty of his status taking a toll on his well-being.
Today, as a human rights activist and the Director of Mandiri Borneo, he channels his experiences into empowering youth and promoting progressive change in Malaysia, while also being an active member of Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda).
Wong highlighted that men are human too, with emotions that deserve to be acknowledged and expressed.
He emphasised that it is okay for men to feel sadness, vulnerability or even cry; as these feelings are natural and healthy.
"Personally, I have found that sharing my thoughts with a trusted friend makes a significant difference. Often, it is not about finding a solution; sometimes we just need someone to listen.
"Small conversations like these can help men feel more comfortable expressing themselves, which can greatly benefit mental health and alleviate some of the weight we carry.
"In my circle, I encourage friends to reach out when they are struggling. At Mandiri, we have worked hard to create a safe space where everyone, men and women alike, can speak openly and find support without judgement,” he said.
Wong also pointed out the need for society to reassess its view of masculinity by fostering supportive spaces where men can freely express their emotions. Because tragically, he said many men resort to taking their own lives because they feel too afraid or ashamed to seek help.
"We must break this silence, end these toxic cycles and foster an environment where men feel empowered to speak about their struggles openly.
"This shift could be incredibly powerful in promoting better mental well-being for everyone,” he said.
Born in Keningau, Sabah, Wong’s life took a challenging turn when his citizenship application was denied when he was 12 and after much fight, forced him to leave Kota Kinabalu and move to Kuala Lumpur. After a lengthy legal battle, he triumphed in court and received his identification card (IC) in 2023.