Men's Mental Health Awareness Month highlighted in South Africa and US

June marks Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, a focal point for addressing a gendered mental‑health crisis. In South Africa, men account for roughly 80% of the 13,774 annual suicides, with the World Health Organization noting they are four to five times more likely to die by suicide than women. The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) stresses that rigid masculinity norms, combined with poverty, unemployment and violence, hinder help‑seeking and contribute to high suicide rates. South Africa’s National Mental Health Policy Framework 2023‑2030 aims to improve gender responsiveness, but specific strategies for men remain limited.

In the United States, Iowa State University’s Student Counseling Services uses the month to promote conversations about men’s mental health. Clinician Jeffrey Nelson emphasizes stigma reduction, the importance of recognizing signs of distress among peers, and the availability of counseling, group therapy and workshops throughout the summer. He notes that loneliness and reluctance to seek help are common challenges for male students, and encourages proactive support within the campus community.