Barriers to Access: An Analysis of Male Participation Rates and Outcomes in Community-Led Mental Health Interventions in Harare

Abstract

Male participation in community-led mental health interventions remains disproportionately low in many low- and middle-income countries, including Zimbabwe. This study examines barriers to male engagement and associated psychosocial outcomes within community mental health interventions in Harare. Guided by the Social Role Theory, the Health Belief Model and Ecological Systems Theory, the study adopts a qualitative-dominant mixed[1]methods approach, drawing on programme records, key informant interviews and Zimbabwean case-study evidence. Findings reveal that hegemonic masculinity norms, mental health stigma, economic precarity and gender-insensitive programme designs significantly limit male participation. However, empirical and case-study evidence demonstrates that gender-responsive adaptations, such as male peer facilitation, flexible scheduling and targeted outreach, substantially improve engagement and mental health outcomes. The study concludes that addressing male under-representation requires culturally grounded, structurally adaptive and policy-supported community mental health programming.