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Making men's dialogue fashionable

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Unisa’s Midlands Region recently hosted a hybrid Men's Mental Health Dialogue with the objective to raise awareness of men’s mental health and how to deal with challenges men experience.

Attendees at the Men's Mental Health Dialogue

Vukosi Msimeki, a dietitian from Job Shimankana hospital in Rustenburg, outlined the importance of nutrition in individuals’ physical and mental health. He indicated that nutrition plays an important role and can affect lives for better or worse.

Vukosi Msimeki

"Careless food choices may result in health conditions that can affect mental health. It is important to eat a variety of foods as they expose the body to a variety of nutrients that enable the body to function properly," said Msimeki. "However, these foods must also be prepared in such a way that it retains its healthy properties."

Men experiencing difficult situations need someone with patience who can advise them on how to deal with their challenges. Msimeki urged men to eat more fruit and vegetables for healthy living and to drink more water – at least eight glasses per day. He advised men to develop the habit of drinking water with meals and to exercise for at least 30 to 60 minutes per day. "It is important to promote healthy living through better food choices and daily exercise as it can affect mental health," he concluded.

Dr Vuyo Yokwe from Tsolo in the Eastern Cape urged men to move away from the notion of "Indoda aikhale", meaning "men don’t cry"; they need to be empowered to deal with the situations they face. "Taking care of mental health is important," said Yokwe. "It becomes a huge challenge for men when they experience depression and anxiety. Men tend to be in denial when experiencing difficulties; however, it is advisable to get the help that will enable them to deal with challenges that cause stress, and which can ultimately escalate and explode. Men’s dialogue platforms should be maximised by inviting professionals to guide and support them in the challenges they face. Gender-based Violence (GBV) is not a solution; therefore, men are encouraged to tell their stories in their safe spaces to get help. Let us make men’s discussions fashionable to create a safe space to deal with issues affecting men."

Dr Vuyo Yokwe

According to Dr Joshua Ndlela, counselling psychologist at Unisa, society has created expectations and put pressure on men. and continues to formulate and craft how a man should be. "Unfortunately," said Ndlela, "men try to live up to the roles and standards created by society regarding how they should behave and think. The set roles do not consider emotional exhaustion, which can cause mental challenges. Mental health and any form of illness, including GBV, cannot be ignored; however, men need to seek help. Society, religion and other factors can put pressure on men, who in turn emulate what society portrays, and ultimately model it. The script has been created for men not to cry even in the most difficult times."

Ndlela emphasised that the problems are real, painful, costly and affect the self and those connected to men; therefore, it is advisable not to run away but rather find ways to deal with problems. "Resilience becomes a coping tool to deal with mental health," he concluded.

* By Thotogelo Masenya, Communication and Marketing Officer, Unisa Midlands Region

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Publish date: 2022-09-29 00:00:00.0

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