The Goldfields Family Advice Organisation, in partnership with the Safer South Africa Foundation and various role players, held a dialogue session at the Thabong Community Centre about positive masculinity, men’s mental health, and gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
The role players are the police, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Childline Free State, the Matjhabeng Men’s Forum, LGBTQIA+ community, and the Thutuzela Care Centre.
“Males in our society often bottle up their emotions because of cultural beliefs such as ‘tigers don’t cry’.
Many feel disconnected and are hesitant to seek help from peers, friends, family and significant others, making the journey through mental health challenges very lonely and damaging,” says Pitso Mareko of Safer South Africa.
He says admitting to and dealing with mental health challenges such as thoughts of suicide, depression, anxiety, stress or even showing emotions is not a sign of weakness.
In fact, you may even be able to draw strength from those around you if they know you need help.
For support, reach out to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group for free counselling. Dial 0800-567-567 (toll free).
