Men’s Mental Health: A growing crisis

LIFESTYLE NEWS - Misa, the Motor Industry Staff Association, is devastated by the alarming suicide rate, especially among men.

“Of the 13,774 recorded suicide deaths in 2019, 78.9% were males (10,861) and 21.1% were females (2,913). South Africa’s suicide rate ranks third highest on the continent, while Africa remains the continent with the highest suicide rate and mental health issues.

"That is alarming enough for the country to act—more people are dying by suicide in South Africa than in vehicle accidents.

"Men are 4 to 5 times more likely to die by suicide compared to women,” says Martlé Keyter, MISA's Chief Executive Officer: Operations.

According to 1Life Insurance, 86% of South African men do not go for regular health check-ups.

“A recent poll reveals only 14% of South African men undergo regular health screenings. 33% of men reported that they only seek medical screening when experiencing health concerns, highlighting a critical gap in preventative healthcare practices.”

MISA as the majority trade union in the male dominated retail motor industry representing more than 75 000 members, realises that we must start this conversation. South African men are far less likely to seek help for a mental illness.

MISA wants to break the stigma of “cowboys don’t cry” by raising awareness to encourage men to seek help.

The Union will embark on its third consecutive Bikers Rally for Men’s Mental Health to the Drakensberg from 21 to 23 November.

“The societal expectation that men must always be strong and never fail is destroying lives. The crisis is worsening. An estimated 23 people die every day by suicide. A Discovery Life report in 2024 revealed that death claims from older men due to unnatural causes attributed to suicide were at 35%, which was higher than motor vehicle accidents (23%), crime (17%), and other accidents (15%). We need action,” says Keyter.