“We Need to Make It Okay for Men to Talk”: SA Grapples With Alarming Male Suicide Rate
As Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month unfolds this June, South Africa faces a chilling truth: nearly 80% of suicide victims are men. Behind this statistic lies a web of cultural silence, misdiagnosed suffering, and systemic neglect.
In 2019 alone, of the 13,774 suicide-related deaths, a staggering 10,861 were men, placing South Africa 10th in the world for suicide rates — 23.5 per 100,000 people. Yet the crisis remains dangerously under-discussed.
“Men Are Taught to Bottle It Up”
“Depression in men often looks like anger or substance abuse—not sadness, so it’s missed,” explains Dr Lerato Mthunzi, a psychologist with the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG). Traditional gender norms push men to be stoic, discouraging emotional vulnerability and help-seeking behavior.
This toxic silence is costing lives.
Pressure, Pain, and Isolation
A volatile mix of unemployment, poverty, family pressures, and exposure to violence increases men’s vulnerability. Without adequate support, many suffer in isolation—until it’s too late.
South Africa’s mental health system is underfunded and overwhelmed. Public services are stretched thin, and staff shortages mean those in need often go untreated. While the National Suicide Crisis Line (0800 567 567) offers vital support, it’s not enough to meet the demand.
Breaking the Silence
Advocates and professionals are calling for community-based programs, gender-sensitive counselling, and most importantly, open dialogue.
“We need to make it okay for men to talk,” says Dr Mthunzi. “We need to stop punishing vulnerability.”
A Month to Act
Men’s Mental Health Month isn’t just about awareness—it’s a call to transform how society treats mental illness in men, to dismantle stigma, and to build spaces where it’s safe to speak up.
Because behind every silent struggle is a life worth saving.
📞 Need Help?
National Suicide Crisis Line: 0800 567 567
24-Hour SADAG Helpline: 0800 456 789
