Men's mental health: the silent struggle

SUICIDE rates are often used to show how serious mental health challenges are in a country.

- MANDISA MASHABA

In 2019, the World Health Organization reported that South Africa was among the 10 countries with the highest suicide rates globally, with 23.5 suicides per 100 000 people. In that same year, South Africa was ranked the third highest in Africa recording 13 774 suicide deaths, the majority of which were men (10 861 compared to 2 913 women).

More recently, suicide rates in the country rose by 18% in 2021, showing that the problem is getting worse, especially for men. According to World Population Review, South Africa continues to rank high in global suicide statistics.

These numbers tell us something serious: South Africa is facing a mental health crisis, and men are at the centre of it. Yet we rarely ask: what does mental illness look like in men? Or more urgently: what keeps them from seeking help before it's too late? These are important questions to consider as Men's Mental Health Month draws to a close on Monday, June 30.