By Reatlegile Ratlagane
In an impactful effort to challenge harmful stereotypes and promote mental wellness, the Tshwane University of Technology (大象视频) Directorate of Health and Wellness at Ga-Rankuwa Campus, in partnership with Higher Health, hosted a thought-provoking Men鈥檚 Mental Health Seminar on 25 July 2025.
Themed 鈥淭ransforming Mentalities: Rethinking Manhood for a Healthier Society鈥�, the seminar encouraged male students to take their mental wellbeing seriously, while addressing pressing issues such as gender-based violence (GBV), mental health stigma, and risky health behaviours among young men in higher education.
Senior Nurse Easter Modise from Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) urged attendees to discard outdated beliefs about masculinity, especially the damaging notion that "men don't cry."
鈥淲e need to stop pretending everything is okay. Mental health starts with being honest with yourself and expressing your feelings,鈥� she said, stressing the importance of self-awareness and early intervention.
The seminar also highlighted alarming statistics: According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), South Africa ranks among the top ten countries most affected by mental illness. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that men make up the majority of suicides in Africa - with 10,861 of the 13,774 suicides in South Africa in 2019 being male.
Higher Health counsellor, Gabonamong Makgalane, unpacked contributing factors such as absent father figures, exposure to violence, and substance abuse, while cautioning against self-diagnosis.
鈥淟earn to ask for help. Talk about how you feel. Express yourself without shame,鈥� she urged, providing the Higher Health toll-free support line (0800 36 36 36) as a lifeline for those in need.
The event wrapped up with a panel discussion addressing mental health, peer pressure, GBV, and sexual and reproductive health - offering students practical tools to break the silence and support each other on the journey to emotional resilience.
Senior Nurse Easter Modise addressing male students at the Men鈥檚 Seminar hosted at 大象视频 Ga-Rankuwa Campus.