IN the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, as communities across Jamaica begin to rebuild from loss and disruption, Red Stripe turned its Vibes Lounge into a space for reflection, honesty, and healing.

The company’s annual International Men’s Day Forum took on deeper meaning this year, offering a timely conversation on emotional strength, compassion and redefining what it means to be “strong” in a time of crisis.

Led by Jamaica Psychiatric Association President Dr Brian Kazaara, the session tackled one of the most overlooked consequences of disasters — the silent emotional strain many men face while trying to hold everything together.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Redefining Strength, Compassion and Manhood – Side by Side’, Dr Kazaara emphasised that wellness and emotional balance are critical during times of national recovery.

“Mental health isn’t just about conditions like anxiety or depression,” Dr Kazaara explained. “It’s the ability to manage stress, contribute positively and reach one’s full potential, especially after a crisis. Men are often expected to rebuild everything except themselves.”

Dr Kazaara noted that moments like Melissa amplify long-standing cultural expectations, leaving many men navigating fear, financial strain and exhaustion without an outlet.

He argued that this contributes to alarming trends.

“In Jamaica, men commit suicide eight times more frequently than women. That tells us many are carrying emotional burdens they are not talking about,” said Dr Kazaara.

For Production Shift Manager Naasson Brown, the conversation struck a deeply personal chord. Having survived a devastating accident that left him unable to walk for months, Brown shared how he learned that resilience is not about pretending to be unaffected.

“Life can hit you without warning — a storm, an accident…anything,” said Brown. “In those moments, you don’t always have the luxury to fall apart. But we must learn how to acknowledge what we’re feeling instead of burying it,” Brown added.

Similarly, Safety and Environment Coordinator Stevar Palmer spoke about breaking the cycle of silence many Jamaican men inherit.

“Growing up, we’re told to ‘man up’ or stop crying. After something like Melissa, that mindset makes it even harder for men to process what they’re going through. We have to teach our boys and remind ourselves that expressing emotion isn’t weakness. It’s necessary,” said Palmer.

While Red Stripe has been active in physical relief efforts following the hurricane, Managing Director Daaf van Tilburg highlighted the importance of supporting employees’ emotional recovery as well.

“We’ve been on the ground helping communities rebuild but our people are rebuilding too,” he shared.

“Part of our responsibility is creating environments where men feel supported, understood, and encouraged to care for their mental well-being.”

That message resonated deeply with the more than 50 men in attendance, many of whom shared that Melissa left them balancing the roles of protector, provider, and emotional anchor, often simultaneously.

As the session ended, Dr Kazaara offered a reminder that, “Crises don’t take away our feelings, they intensify them. We cannot wait for storms and losses to teach emotional skills we were never given. Support shouldn’t be the exception. It should be the culture.”

Through candid storytelling, expert insights and open dialogue, the forum affirmed that managing emotions is not a luxury reserved for calm times. Instead, it is an essential survival tool, especially in the face of crisis.

For van Tilburg, the day underscored a simple truth: Jamaica’s recovery efforts are multi-layered and the country must restore infrastructure and rebuild the emotional resilience of its people, starting with the men who often feel they must carry the heaviest load, quietly.

Rushane Wallace beams with joy as he receives his Guinness cooler bag from Human Resource Business Partner Sandra Bingham, celebrating his win in the forum’s icebreaker trivia.

More than 50 male employees from departments across Red Stripe participated in its 2025 International Men’s Day Forum and left empowered with tools to manage stress, emotions, and unexpected challenges in the post-hurricane period.