05/11/2025
November marks Men's Mental Health Awareness Month.
Some statistics:
• over 75% of suicidal deaths are men
• men are less likely to receive a mental health diagnosis than woman
"Men often face the expectation to remain strong and silent in the face of extraordinarily difficult challenges, leading to some shocking and dangerous statistics (SA Federation for Mental Health, 2023; South African Society of Psychiatrists, 2024)."
"The belief that acknowledging mental health challenges is a weakness often leads men down a path of destructive behaviours. These can include alcohol and substance abuse, reckless sexual behaviours, emotional outbursts, and even violence (Gema, 2023; Ngwenya & Sumbane, 2022). Poor mental health among men is also linked to the high rates of gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa (Gema, 2023). The increase in GBV is strongly related to the decline in men’s mental health, exacerbated by factors such as unemployment, job scarcity, and the rising cost of living (Gema, 2023)."
Men do not seek mental health help due to:
• stigma
• internalising symptoms such as manifesting distress for anger, irritability, involving themselves in substance abuse or risk-taking behaviours.
• undiagnoses
• lower treatment rates and
• social norms
If there is a male in your life (a spouse, partner, brother, cousin or friend) who is exhibiting the above symptoms. Please reach out to them, there is help available.
Men are important too ♡
