MHM Magazine

Whilst the media continues to report on the subject of men’s mental health, this subject remains one of the most difficult challenges facing society and will most likely continue to face for some time. For this reason male mental health should continue to receive the necessary attention and decisive ongoing action. The latest Annual Mental State of the World Report 2022 from Sapien Labs was published in March 2023. This report is part of the Global Mind Project and included 407,959 responses from 64 countries in 9 languages. The survey measured mental well-being using a scale on a spectrum from "distressed" to "thriving". In between these two poles were struggling, enduring, managing, and succeeding. The study questionnaire considered five functional dimensions: drive and motivation, mood and outlook, cognition and social self, and the mind-body connection. The researchers also recorded information on demographics, lifestyle factors, traumas and adversities to evaluate the key drivers of risks. According to this report South Africa ranks and remains one of the worst countries regarding mental health together with the United Kingdom and Brazil. South Africa shows the greatest proportion of respondents who are distressed or struggling. The purpose of this report is to provide policymakers a basis for the more effective management of population mental well-being through evidence-based social policy and interventions. Against this background one should understand the current state of male mental health/wellness in South Africa. The most recent suicide worldwide report with 2019 data was published by the World Health Organization in 2021. In this report, South Africa ranked 10th worst worldwide with the highest rate of suicides, i.e. 23.5 per 100 000 people. Of the 13 774 suicides reported in South Africa, 10 861 were men whilst 2 913 were women, translating to a rate of 37,6 per 100 000 for men and 9,8 per 100 000 for women. These statistics highlight the fact that South African men are five times more likely to die by suicide than woman calling us to urgent action. As is well known, suicide rates in South Africa are poorly reported and the figures might even be higher. Already in 2011, Bilsker and White published an article with the appropriate title of ‘The Silent Epidemic of Male Suicide’ in the British Columbia Medical Journal. They blame the cause on the lack of public awareness, a paucity of explanatory research, and the reluctance of men to seek help for suicide-related concerns. Finally, they write that only by breaking the silence, building public awareness, refining explanatory frameworks, implementing preventive strategies, and undertaking research will this epidemic be overcome. Paying attention to all these aspects will require a concerted and comprehensive effort from all stakeholders. One of the causes of the reluctance of men to seek help has been linked to stigma. The stigma surrounding men’s mental illness has been described as having wide-reaching and profound consequences. Stigma negatively impacts men’s mental health help-seeking and the use of appropriate services. Although much has been written about MALE MENTAL HEALTH OVERCOMING STIGMA EDITORIAL Dr Frans A Korb Psychiatrist – Private Practice SADAG board member Johannesburg Issue 1 | 2024 | MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS | 1 MHM