James Donaldson on Mental Health - Men urged to break silence on mental health

By Patience Makwele Namibian men are being urged to break the culture of silence around mental health as the country continues to record hundreds of suicide deaths and thousands of attempts.

Namibia recorded 542 suicide cases and 2 937 suicide attempts in 2023/24, figures presented by the ministry of health and social services and reported by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The figures have renewed calls for greater openness around mental health, particularly among men, who accounted for 60% of the 422 suicide deaths recorded nationally in 2023, according to figures presented by the ministry.

The issue took centre stage at the One Economy Foundation’s annual Game Changers Corporate and Family Fun Day in Windhoek on Saturday, where gender-based violence (GBV), femicide, mental health and sexual and reproductive health were among the issues discussed.

One Economy Foundation clinical psychologist Gregorius Amadhila said worrying statistics around suicide, GBV and mental health point to the number of people struggling without seeking help.

“The cases were recorded, and these statistics are quite concerning,” Amadhila said, adding that many individuals, including survivors and victims, are affected mentally, emotionally and physically.

He said the situation was particularly concerning for men, who often struggle to speak about their mental health and seek support.

“Given the size of our population, a single life lost to suicide is one life too many,” he said.

For Sebastian Alweendo, one of the men who attended the event, the conversations highlighted the pressure men face to appear strong even when they are struggling.

“What stood out for me is that as men, we are raised to believe that you must always be strong.