Real Strength Speaks: SADAG Encourages Men to Talk

With the SAMRC reporting that men account for nearly 80% of suicides, SADAG urges a shift in how strength is defined by calling on men to speak up, seek help, and support one another. Across South Africa, too many men continue to suffer in silence, battling depression, anxiety, stress, and suicidal thoughts behind closed doors.

This Men’s Health Month, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) is calling for a powerful change in perception with the theme “Strong Enough to Talk.” The campaign challenges the outdated idea that strength means silence, urging men to understand that real strength lies in vulnerability, honesty, and reaching out for help.

Recent statistics highlight the urgency of this message. Nationally, about 25.7% of adults report probable depression (Frontiers, Public Health Journal 2022), and the lifetime prevalence of any mental disorder in South Africa stands at 30.3% (SASH Study). Suicide rates remain alarmingly high, with South Africa recording approximately 23.5 suicides per 100,000 people, among the highest in Africa (SAMRC).

Even more concerning, men account for nearly 80% of all suicides and are four to five times more likely to die by suicide than women. These figures reveal a silent crisis that demands urgent attention and open conversation.

“We’ve long associated masculinity with control and toughness,” says Zamo Mbele, SADAG Board Member and Clinical Psychologist. “But emotional honesty is not weakness, it’s bravery. Every time a man opens up, he chips away at the stigma that keeps others trapped in silence. Being strong enough to talk can save your life, and it can give permission for the next man to do the same.”

While men are the focus, SADAG emphasises that women play a vital role in this conversation as partners, sisters, mothers, and friends. Women often notice the first signs of distress: withdrawal, irritability, or emotional fatigue.

By reaching out with empathy, creating safe spaces, and encouraging open dialogue, women can help men find the courage to seek help without fear of judgment. Mental health is not a gendered issue; it’s a shared human responsibility.

SADAG encourages men to take small but powerful steps to look after their mental wellbeing by speaking their truth, staying connected, and seeking help early. Reaching out to a friend, a counsellor, or even a colleague can be life-changing. Looking after basic health habits such as sleep, exercise, and nutrition also makes a measurable difference in mood and resilience.

Acts of kindness and giving, whether through volunteering, donating, or simply listening, have been scientifically shown to release the body’s natural “feel-good” chemicals that lower stress and increase happiness. Supporting others doesn’t only save lives; it also nurtures one’s own sense of purpose and belonging.

Men can play a vital role in helping each other by asking real questions like “How are you, really?” , listening without judgment, sharing their own experiences, and reminding one another that seeking help is an act of courage, not failure.

SADAG continues to lead South Africa’s effort to provide 24-hour Mental Health support, answering calls every day from men who finally find the strength to say, “I’m not okay.” The organisation urges all South Africans, men and women alike, to break the silence, listen with empathy, and remind the men in their lives that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but a powerful act of courage and hope.

If you or someone you know needs help:Call SADAG’s 24-hour Helpline: 0800 456 789Send a WhatsApp Message: 076 882 2775Visit: www.sadag.org