Muzzammil Riaz, a registered nurse, wellness advocate, and founder of Trust The Process, urges society to rethink how we talk to young men about emotional strength. He believes the common message for boys to “toughen up” has created a culture of silence, shame, and emotional disconnection. According to Riaz, this message is not only outdated but also harmful. It has caused many young men to suppress emotions, avoid help, and suffer in silence.
“We often tell boys from a very early age not to cry or show vulnerability,” says Riaz. “They are told to be strong, to hold it together, and never to appear weak. But what we are teaching them is to shut down emotionally. We are teaching them to hide their truth.”
Through his work as a nurse and mental health advocate, Riaz has witnessed the long-term effects of this cultural conditioning. He regularly interacts with patients and clients who carry unspoken emotional burdens. Many men have never been encouraged to talk about their feelings. “They struggle with anxiety, burnout, and self-doubt,” he explains. “But they have been taught that asking for help is a sign of failure. That mindset isolates them and leaves them without the support they need.”
Riaz founded Trust The Process as a digital platform to open conversations about healing, vulnerability, and growth. He shares blogs, podcasts, and social media content that encourages emotional honesty. His audience includes healthcare workers, students, and men from various cultural backgrounds who relate to the unspoken pressure to remain emotionally stoic.
“Men are often praised for being strong and silent,” he says. “But silence is not strength. Silence can be a survival mechanism. When it becomes the default, it turns into emotional suppression. That leads to mental health breakdowns and serious consequences.”
According to Riaz, this issue goes beyond individual struggles. It is a growing public health concern. Studies have shown that men are less likely than women to seek therapy or talk openly about emotional pain. At the same time, suicide rates among men remain significantly higher. “This is not just about masculinity,” Riaz says. “It is about saving lives. It is about changing the way we understand strength.”
He believes that the root of the problem lies in how society defines masculinity. In many communities, strength is still associated with control, dominance, and emotional detachment. “When we tell a boy to ‘man up,’ we are telling him to disconnect from his emotional world,” Riaz explains. “We are telling him to ignore what he feels. That can be deeply damaging, especially during adolescence when emotions are intense and identity still forms.”
Riaz mentors young men in healthcare and educational settings. He says many of them express a deep desire to open up but feel they have no space. “They tell me they do not know how to process their feelings. They do not know who to talk to. They are afraid of being judged, or worse, being seen as weak.”
One of the core messages Riaz promotes through his work is that healing is not linear. It involves setbacks, reflection, and self-compassion. He encourages men to take small steps toward emotional awareness through journaling, conversation, or simply naming their emotions without shame. “You do not have to be perfect,” he says. “You just have to be honest. That is how you begin to heal.”
He also emphasizes the importance of changing our language with boys and young men. “Let’s stop telling them to toughen up,” he says. “Let’s ask better questions. How are you doing? What do you need right now? Who can you talk to? These questions open doors instead of closing them.”
Social media, according to Riaz, has added another layer of pressure. Many platforms glorify an exaggerated form of masculinity that revolves around dominance, physical appearance, and constant hustle. “That image leaves no room for softness or rest,” he says. “We need more visible examples of men who lead with empathy and vulnerability. We need to normalize that side of the male experience.”
Despite the challenges, Riaz believes change is possible. He sees a growing number of men ready to question the old rules. “We are seeing a shift. More men are speaking openly about mental health, even if it is still difficult. But they cannot do it alone. Families, communities, and institutions must create safer spaces for those conversations.”
For Muzzammil Riaz, the goal is simple. He wants boys and men to know that they are allowed to feel. They are allowed to be human. “The next time a young man opens up, do not tell him to be stronger. Tell him you are listening. Tell him he is enough. That moment of acceptance can change everything.
