It’s OK not to be OK – Shangula
September is Suicide Prevention Month
Mental health issues rank alongside cardiovascular disorders and cancer as among the nation's biggest health problems.
“It’s OK not to be OK.”
Dr Kalumbi Shangula, who was addressing men at a mental health and psychosocial support summit in Oshakati over the weekend, urged attendees to seek help when they feel the walls closing in on them.
“We are all not OK sometimes, and it’s OK. We all need a shoulder to cry on sometimes, and it’s OK. The label put on us men that men don’t cry, this is not OK. We are men, but we are human beings with emotions,” he said in a speech read on his behalf by executive director Ben Nangombe.
“It’s normal and OK to not feel OK sometimes. We must open up, talk to someone and ask for help,” he said.
This year, Suicide Prevention Month – which is commemorated in September - is being held under the theme ‘creating hope through action’.
Strength
Shangula said the pressure many men feel to adhere to traditional notions of masculinity can lead to suppressed emotions, feelings of isolation and a reluctance to express vulnerability.
“It is crucial that we recognise that strength is not synonymous with endurance of pain and suffering. Courage is not found solely in silence. Men must be encouraged to embrace their emotions, to seek help when needed and to understand that reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.”
He added that there are too many expectations placed on men to fulfil multiple roles, which can take a toll on their mental health.
Balancing these roles can lead to chronic stress, anxiety and burnout, he said.
“It is essential that we create environments where men feel empowered to share their struggles and where support networks are readily available.”
1 in 4
According to specialist psychiatrist Dr Moges Admassu, mental health issues are common and rank alongside cardiovascular disorders and cancer as among the nation's biggest health problems.
One in every four people suffers from mental illness, he said.
Meanwhile, over the last 17 months, at least 615 suicides were recorded by the Namibian Police.
Of these staggering statistics, 485 were adult men while 107 were adult women.
Admassu said higher rates of suicide are reported amongst gay men, war veterans and those with low incomes.
“Less well-off middle-aged men are particularly likely to die by suicide,” he said.
He added that men are much less likely to acknowledge and report possible symptoms of mood disorders such as depression, and judge their symptoms as less severe in comparison to women.
In men, symptoms of depression include irritability, sudden anger and increased loss of control, risk-taking and aggression.
Dr Kalumbi Shangula, who was addressing men at a mental health and psychosocial support summit in Oshakati over the weekend, urged attendees to seek help when they feel the walls closing in on them.
“We are all not OK sometimes, and it’s OK. We all need a shoulder to cry on sometimes, and it’s OK. The label put on us men that men don’t cry, this is not OK. We are men, but we are human beings with emotions,” he said in a speech read on his behalf by executive director Ben Nangombe.
“It’s normal and OK to not feel OK sometimes. We must open up, talk to someone and ask for help,” he said.
This year, Suicide Prevention Month – which is commemorated in September - is being held under the theme ‘creating hope through action’.
Strength
Shangula said the pressure many men feel to adhere to traditional notions of masculinity can lead to suppressed emotions, feelings of isolation and a reluctance to express vulnerability.
“It is crucial that we recognise that strength is not synonymous with endurance of pain and suffering. Courage is not found solely in silence. Men must be encouraged to embrace their emotions, to seek help when needed and to understand that reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.”
He added that there are too many expectations placed on men to fulfil multiple roles, which can take a toll on their mental health.
Balancing these roles can lead to chronic stress, anxiety and burnout, he said.
“It is essential that we create environments where men feel empowered to share their struggles and where support networks are readily available.”
1 in 4
According to specialist psychiatrist Dr Moges Admassu, mental health issues are common and rank alongside cardiovascular disorders and cancer as among the nation's biggest health problems.
One in every four people suffers from mental illness, he said.
Meanwhile, over the last 17 months, at least 615 suicides were recorded by the Namibian Police.
Of these staggering statistics, 485 were adult men while 107 were adult women.
Admassu said higher rates of suicide are reported amongst gay men, war veterans and those with low incomes.
“Less well-off middle-aged men are particularly likely to die by suicide,” he said.
He added that men are much less likely to acknowledge and report possible symptoms of mood disorders such as depression, and judge their symptoms as less severe in comparison to women.
In men, symptoms of depression include irritability, sudden anger and increased loss of control, risk-taking and aggression.
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