By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 17: Beyond the vintage suits and polished engines, Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla and medical experts issued a grim warning in Shillong this Sunday: Meghalaya’s culture of silence around men’s mental health and rising HIV rates is a public health emergency that cannot be masked by pageantry.
Speaking at the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, an event traditionally focused on classic motorcycles and prostate cancer awareness, officials used the platform to address the growing rates of suicide, alcoholism, and depression among men in the state.
Minister Shylla stated that mental health remains one of the least discussed subjects in Meghalaya, despite a sharp rise in anxiety and substance abuse. He noted that the state’s HIV/AIDS numbers remain higher than the national average, yet a deep-seated stigma prevents many from seeking help.
“The government’s focus must move beyond treatment to prevention and early intervention,” Shylla said. He challenged the organisers to take these awareness programmes out of urban centres like Shillong and into rural areas, where the silence around these issues is even more profound.
A renowned psychiatrist and founder-director of Sanker, Dr Sandi Syiem, told the gathering that societal expectations for men to maintain a “strong exterior” are literally killing them. He explained that bottled-up emotions in men frequently manifest as anger, chronic alcoholism, and other destructive behaviours.
Addressing the state’s suicide rate, Dr Syiem argued that suicide must no longer be viewed as a crime but as a preventable tragedy. He noted that for every recorded suicide, numerous attempts go unnoticed, highlighting a desperate need for emotional support systems for young people.
The event, hosted by Caferacers of Shillong, saw over 150 participants.
While the ride celebrated motorcycle culture, East Khasi Hills SP (Traffic) Lovish Garg reminded riders that the stakes are higher than just road etiquette. He linked mental well-being to road safety, urging bikers to view responsible riding as a commitment to returning home to their families rather than just a way to avoid fines.
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is a global movement raising funds for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health. However, in the context of Meghalaya, Sunday’s speakers made it clear that the real challenge lies in breaking the “manly silence” that continues to hinder public health efforts.
