We might be in the 21st century, but men still feel the shame they have had for centuries when it comes to expressing their emotions and seeking support for mental health issues. As result, many of these issues tragically lead to suicide. In fact, South Africa has one of the highest male suicide rates in the world.
This year, the theme for International Men’s Day is “zero male suicide”. The global awareness day, which is held annually on November 19 and observed by 80 countries, focuses on the positive value men bring to the world, their families and communities.
This year, the campaign is highlighting how “together we can bring an end to male suicides”.
While male suicides and why they happen do not feature as much as they should in the public discourse, research from various world bodies and medical institutions indicates just how dire the situation is.
According to the World Health Organisation, more than 700,000 people around the world die by suicide every year. Interestingly, in almost every country more men than women commit suicide. Suicide is a gendered problem and South Africa is no different.
According to the South African Society of Psychiatrists, men in South Africa are five times more likely to die by suicide than women and often use more aggressive methods.
While no-one can deny that these figures are shocking, they have not spurred the action we need on male suicides.
The rising rate of male suicide in South Africa is a national emergency. Some of the main factors include undiagnosed or untreated depression, trauma, financial troubles and relationship issues
The rising rate of male suicide in South Africa is a national emergency. Some of the main factors include undiagnosed or untreated depression, trauma, financial troubles and relationship issues.
A recent study suggested that issues such as a loneliness, failing to meet standards of male success and lack of self-worth have contributed to high rates of male suicide. Another factor that cannot be ignored is that in South Africa, most people deal with dire socioeconomic conditions, which result in a feeling of hopelessness.
Not only does the country have the most unequal society in the world, but citizens continue to deal with the impact of the pandemic, soaring unemployment, high crime rates and lack of access to basic needs.
We need to become a society that is cognisant of the importance of mental health and how to effectively deal with threats to our mental wellbeing.
Men’s mental health issues are mostly swept under the carpet due to embarrassment or because they are seen as a sign of weakness; there is a rising need that men and our wider society adopt a different mindset and approach to male suicide and the devastation it wreaks on families, friends, coworkers, communities and even economic growth.
Admittedly, there is no quick fix or perfect solution for the increasing rate of suicide among men in South Africa. But we cannot sit on our hands while young boys and men attempt to take their own lives every day.
This means changing the stigma and discrimination around mental health and suicide. Just think about how often you have heard — or said yourself — such phrases as “boys don’t cry”, “man up”, “be a man” and “stop acting like a girl”.
Men have to deal with a number of mental health problems, including anxiety and depression, which are prime causes of suicide.
Another knock-on effect of men not speaking up or seeking help, is that they often end up relying on reckless behaviour such as drug abuse and gambling. If these coping mechanisms are not kept in check, they further increase the risk of suicide.
We need to become involved in community awareness projects, empowering others with the skills and resources to manage mental health issues, starting and supporting national dialogues on suicide, and most importantly, letting men know that we are there for them in times of distress and they can and must ask for help.
Our society needs to be more humane and realise that men require the same level of support that every human being does. It is only then that we will be make a dent in this bleak picture of rising male suicide that the country is facing.
• Yershen Pillay is CEO of the Chemical Industries Education & Training Authority
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