Communities should challenge the stigma and stereotypes that often prevent men from seeking professional help.

So says Psychiatry Registrar Dr Thabang Lobese from Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital.

Lobese says the belief that men must always be strong has created the misconception that they are coping well, even when many are silently battling emotional and psychological distress.

“The fact that we do not talk about men’s mental health does not mean that men are not suffering,” says Lobese.

He says men may be carrying emotional pain, psychological distress, financial pressure, family responsibilities, relationship difficulties and unresolved trauma without speaking about their experiences.

According to Lobese, some men suffer in silence for years before seeking help, while others never seek help at all.

He warns that untreated mental health conditions can have consequences that extend beyond the individual, affecting families, workplaces and communities.

“When men’s mental health deteriorates, we often see the effects reflected in substance abuse, violence, family conflict, unemployment, poor physical health and, tragically, suicide,” he says.

Lobese also highlights the importance of recognising depression in men, saying the condition is frequently misunderstood because its symptoms may be overlooked or mistaken for personality changes.

He explains that while depression can present as sadness and crying, men may display symptoms differently.

“They may become irritable, angry, withdrawn or emotionally detached or lose interest in activities they previously enjoyed.

This loss of pleasure, known as anhedonia, can be an important warning sign,” he said.

Other warning signs include social withdrawal, increased use of alcohol or drugs, sleep disturbances, reduced work performance, neglect of personal care, relationship difficulties, risk-taking behaviour, and significant changes in personality or functioning.

Despite growing awareness of mental health, Lobese says many men still struggle in silence because of harmful stereotypes about masculinity and misconceptions about mental healthcare.

He says some communities still hold the belief that consulting a psychologist or psychiatrist means a person is ‘crazy’.

Lobese stresses that seeking professional help should be viewed in the same way as consulting a doctor for physical health conditions.

“Mental health is health,” he says.

He also calls for supportive environments where men can discuss their emotional well-being without fear of judgement.

“Families and communities have an important role to play. Men need environments where they can speak openly without fear of judgement.

“We must create spaces where emotional well-being is discussed openly and where seeking help is seen as an act of courage rather than weakness,” he says.

Lobese encourages men experiencing persistent changes in mood, behaviour or daily functioning to seek support from a healthcare provider, psychologist or psychiatrist.

He says early intervention can make a life-changing difference, reinforcing the importance of recognising warning signs and starting conversations about men’s mental health before problems escalate.

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