Men’s mental health in the spotlight
Mental health advocates in South Africa are calling for sustained attention to men's mental health beyond 'Men's Month' to address high suicide rates. Experts cite financial pressure, social stigma, and traditional expectations of masculinity as primary barriers to men seeking help.
Why it matters
Addressing the high rate of male suicide requires shifting cultural norms and improving access to mental health support systems.
As Men’s Month draws to a close, community leaders and mental health advocates say South Africa cannot afford to confine conversations about men’s wellbeing to a single month, warning that silence continues to cost thousands of lives every year.
Their call comes as men account for nearly 80% of recorded suicides in South Africa, making them four to five times more likely to die by suicide than women.
Mental health organisations say financial hardship, emotional isolation, untreated depression and deeply entrenched expectations around masculinity continue to prevent many men from seeking help before reaching crisis point.
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) has also warned of growing levels of psychological distress among men, identifying financial pressure as one of the leading contributors to suicidal thoughts.
The organisation says many men continue to delay seeking professional help because of the stigma attached to vulnerability.
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