
Therapy alone won't resolve men's mental health problems caused by socio-economic stressors
While Mental Health Awareness Month (May) and Men's Mental Health Month (June) have ended, the conversation about mental health must not. In a country where mental health issues are becoming an epidemic, sustained dialogue is essential.
Men are often underrepresented in mental health statistics, not because they face fewer problems, but because they are less likely to seek help. When they do respond to mental distress, it is often in extreme ways such as substance abuse, isolation or suicide.
In South Africa, socio-economic stressors are primary causes of mental health crises especially for black men and people of colour. As such, socio-economic interventions should be prioritised, with therapy serving as a complementary, not primary, solution.
This perspective may seem controversial, but we are not against therapy; we encourage people to use it. Where trauma that has no economic aetiology therapy should be the first line of action. We make the above very clear here and an exception.
When poverty, unemployment and financial stress are the root causes of mental health deterioration, especially in the context of high unemployment, the solution must begin with economic rehabilitation, job creation, social investment and poverty alleviation.
In their book
Although their study focuses on hip-hop in Western contexts, the parallels to South Africa in terms of financial meltdown are undeniable. The majority of the artists discussed in the book were men, and common themes included financial hardship and limited opportunities. The authors found that those facing economic insecurity reported higher levels of hopelessness, anxiety and depression, often precursors to suicide. The same pattern is visible among South African men.
Africa has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The
South Africa ranks among the top 10 countries globally with the highest suicide rates. In 2019, the country recorded 13,774 suicide deaths, 10,861 of them men.
In 2021, the suicide rate rose to 18%, highlighting the urgency of addressing the root causes behind these figures. An article published in the
by a psychologist,
Given the above, the next step is to advise these men to seek help through therapy.
But context matters. Considering the state of the economy in the country, the economic lens should be the first lens we need to observe the state of men's mental health.
First, a single therapy session costs
Second, gaps in public healthcare do not allow effective therapy sessions, because they are overwhelmed and under-resourced. South Africa has only
Third, despite having one of Africa's most advanced healthcare systems, South Africa lacks a
Fourth, therapy is still seen as foreign and unfamiliar by many men. Asking them to expose emotional vulnerabilities to a stranger, without addressing their material struggles, often feels not only impractical but also alienating.
Men, often expected to be family providers, are at breaking point given their inability to provide for their families. They migrate to urban areas in the hope of financial upliftment, only to be met with limited opportunities and high expectations from family back home. This drives them towards depression and anxiety. We cannot use therapy alone to solve mental health problems.
Therapy is necessary but it cannot resolve the country's lagging economy and unemployment. There is a necessity for urgent and massive economic reforms to address this crisis.
The mental health crisis among South African men is not only a psychological issue; it's also a socio-economic one. Therapy can support healing but there must be broader structural change: job creation, economic investment, and sustainable livelihoods.
By reframing the conversation around men's mental health to include economic justice, we will move closer to real solutions. Until then, we risk treating symptoms while ignoring the disease.
Edmund Terem Ugar is a doctoral candidate at the Department of Philosophy, University of Johannesburg. Zimasa Klaas is the head of human resources at Opti-Num Solutions. The opinions expressed in this article do not represent the views of their employers.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

The Herald
8 hours ago
- The Herald
SAHRC's 'pro-foreigner stance' comes under fire from ActionSA's Mashaba
'It is important to note that no civic group or individual has the legal authority to control access to public health facilities or to enforce immigration laws,' it said. 'The power to inspect, arrest or detain undocumented people lies solely with the department of home affairs, supported by the police when lawfully required.' All South Africans and those who live in the country — regardless of nationality, race, gender, age, income level or geographic location — have a right to access health-care facilities, it added. Mashaba said residents of Hammanskraal in Tshwane had to contend with no drinking water for more than 20 years because of the influx of illegal foreigners. 'Another problem is how South Africa has now become a free-for-all. We say, 'Come to South Africa, we will give you free health care, free education.' We have opened our borders to international syndicates,' he said. It is likely 'five illegal aliens' deported to Swaziland by US President Donald Trump would end up in South Africa, he added. 'Was the Human Rights Commission established to protect the rights of illegal foreign nationals?' On failed sewer infrastructure, Mashaba said sewage spills onto beaches threaten the city's tourism prospects. TimesLIVE


Mail & Guardian
a day ago
- Mail & Guardian
AI can advance the sustainable development goals
Artificial intelligence used with intention, inclusivity and oversight improve healthcare and education, as well as mitigate the effects of climate change. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy/M&G As South Africa contends with persistent development issues such as poverty, inequality, healthcare disparities, educational gaps and environmental threats, the promise of artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant frontier but an essential catalyst for transformative change. AI is already being implemented globally to tackle complex development problems. For South Africa, the question is how to integrate it effectively to support sustainable and inclusive growth. If wisely and ethically harnessed, AI could become one of the most powerful instruments in South Africa's pursuit of the United Nations' sustainable development goals (SDGs). It has the potential to accelerate progress, narrow inequality and unlock the latent potential of South African society. But this potential must be cultivated with intention, inclusivity and oversight. SDG 3: Transforming healthcare and saving lives: South Africa's healthcare system, although marked by moments of excellence, remains strained by disparities in access, quality and resource allocation. The application of AI in this domain holds promise not just for efficiency but for equity. AI-driven diagnostic tools can rapidly detect diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria and cancer. Algorithms trained on large datasets can identify symptoms from images or scans with an accuracy that rivals, or even exceeds, that of human practitioners. Moreover, AI can improve disease surveillance by predicting and modeling outbreaks, which is critical in a country still grappling with the dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Predictive models based on environmental data, patient mobility and historical records can help public health authorities anticipate and mitigate disease spread before it escalates into full-blown crises. Treatment personalisation is another frontier. AI systems can optimise treatment plans based on a patient's genetic profile, lifestyle data and real-time biometrics, thereby enhancing outcomes and reducing adverse effects. This is particularly relevant for chronic disease management such as diabetes, hypertension, and HIV/Aids, where continuous monitoring and dynamic response are key. In remote or underserved areas, AI-powered mobile health platforms can bring diagnostic and consultation services to communities long excluded from specialist care. SDG 4: Education: In the realm of education, AI is poised to democratise access and personalise learning experiences in a manner previously unimaginable. South Africa's education system, despite significant investment, remains beset by inequality in quality and outcomes, especially in rural and peri-urban areas. AI can bridge these gaps through intelligent tutoring systems that adapt to individual learners' pace, preferences and proficiency. For instance, AI-powered platforms can assess where a student is struggling and adjust content delivery to reinforce those areas, offering real-time feedback and customised learning paths. This degree of personalisation can significantly reduce dropout rates and improve performance across diverse learner populations. Furthermore, AI can support inclusive education by assisting learners with disabilities. Speech-to-text, text-to-speech and natural language processing tools can make content more accessible to blind, deaf or dyslexic students. In multilingual societies like South Africa, AI-driven language translation tools can also ensure that learning materials reach students in their home languages, enhancing comprehension and cultural relevance. Educators also benefit. AI can automate administrative tasks, provide insights into student performance and suggest interventions, freeing teachers to focus on pedagogy and mentorship. At a systemic level, AI can support policymakers by analysing educational outcomes across regions and demographics, enabling targeted interventions and better allocation of resources. SDG 13: Climate change: As the climate crisis intensifies, South Africa finds itself on the front line of its economic, social and ecological consequences. Water scarcity, biodiversity loss and extreme weather events pose existential threats to both urban and rural livelihoods. AI offers sophisticated tools for mitigation, adaptation and resilience-building. Through the processing of vast environmental datasets, AI can produce accurate climate models that forecast the effect of rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns and other ecological disruptions. AI can integrate real-time weather data, satellite imagery and hydrological models to improve drought forecasts. These models can guide agricultural planning, infrastructure development, and water resource management with unparalleled precision. Farmers can use AI for precision agriculture, monitoring soil health, optimising irrigation and predicting yields. Energy efficiency is another critical area. AI can optimise the generation, distribution and consumption of energy, reducing carbon footprints while improving access. Smart grids informed by machine learning algorithms can predict demand spikes and reroute electricity to prevent outages. During disasters such as floods or wildfires, AI-enabled systems can provide early warnings, simulate response strategies and coordinate relief efforts. Satellite data combined with AI analytics can map affected areas in real time, identify vulnerable populations and facilitate targeted humanitarian interventions. These applications are not just technically sophisticated but socially vital. Integrating ethics and equity into AI development But the journey to AI-enabled SDGs is not without risks. Issues of data privacy, algorithmic bias, surveillance and digital exclusion must be confronted directly. The use of AI must be guided by principles of transparency, accountability and justice. Local contexts matter, and solutions must be co-created with communities, grounded in local knowledge and aligned with national development priorities. Moreover, AI must not deepen inequalities by creating a technological elite. Investments must be made in digital infrastructure, skills development and research capabilities, particularly in historically marginalised areas. If AI is to be a force for good, its benefits must be broadly shared, and its design must reflect the values and diversity of South African society. To avoid surveillance, bias and misuse of data, the country needs strong ethical guidelines. The Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution has made initial recommendations, but these must be translated into enforceable policies. The private sector, particularly in fintech, agri-tech, edtech and healthtech, must be encouraged to innovate responsibly. Universities and research institutions should intensify efforts to localise AI knowledge production and ensure that South African problems are being solved by South African minds. Most importantly, the state must play a catalytic role in ensuring that the regulatory frameworks, data governance standards and public investments align with the broader vision of sustainable development. The alignment between AI and the SDGs is not coincidental; it is foundational. AI is not just about machines, it is about leveraging intelligence, in all its forms, to solve humanity's greatest problems. Let us seize this opportunity not just with code and computation, but with compassion, conscience and collective purpose. Dinko Herman Boikanyo is an associate professor of business management at the University of Johannesburg. He writes in his personal capacity.


Mail & Guardian
2 days ago
- Mail & Guardian
Diabetes is a disease that thrives on inequity
South Africa must treat the conditions that breed diabetes, including by making healthy food affordable. Photo: File It's not every day one finds themselves navigating the buzz of McCormick Place convention centre in downtown Chicago, dwarfed by towering banners, energised scientists and a swirling stream of conversations in a dozen different languages, all united by a single cause: tackling diabetes. For me, attending the 2025 American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions wasn't just about science. It was a reckoning. A moment to understand, reflect and reimagine what this disease means for my country, and for me as a South African woman. I arrived late on Friday, 20 June, after a long-haul flight with cramped legs, airport sandwiches and anticipation. By the time I checked into my hotel, I had missed most of the day's sessions. But there was one I was determined to catch, and I made it just in time. The session was called Social Drivers of Health Needs and Cost. What unfolded in that packed hall was less a session and more a raw, honest confrontation with reality. Dr Jennifer Wallace, the moderator, opened with something that hit me square in the chest: 'If we want to treat diabetes effectively, we cannot ignore the world outside the clinic.' It's a sentiment that resonates deeply in South Africa, where the world outside the clinic, townships, informal settlements and communities living in food deserts, is precisely where the battle against Type 2 diabetes is being lost. Dr Marcus Lee told a story about a patient who managed her insulin levels by eating less. I could immediately picture women back home doing the same, sacrificing meals so their medication lasts longer. Alicia Ramos, a community health navigator, reminded us that for many, the choice is not just between food and medicine, but between survival and wellness. The truth? Type 2 diabetes is no longer a condition we see in sick or older people. It's knocking loudly on the doors of the working class, of families earning just enough to survive but not enough to eat well. Saturday's session, Type 2: From Biology to Behaviour: Is it all in the Family?' took the conversation even deeper. The message was clear: diabetes doesn't just run in our blood. It runs in our habits, our kitchens and our cultures. In South Africa, many of us grow up eating pap, vetkoek, sugary tea, deep-fried carbs and processed meats. These aren't indulgences. They're affordable staples. They have a high-calorie count and they don't break the bank. When healthier options cost twice as much or simply aren't available, how can we realistically expect people to choose better? The session unpacked how family history and intergenerational behaviour create cycles that are hard to break. But what stood out to me was the shift in tone. This wasn't about blaming families for bad choices. It was about compassion, care and giving people the tools and environments they need to choose health. Back home that means school programmes, public health campaigns and food subsidies. But, I thought, are we doing enough to combat the crisis? Or is our inherent socio-economic system jeopardising the problem? Later that day, a quieter ePoster session titled Obesity-Associated Diabetes and Cancer Risk offered a chilling insight: Type 2 diabetes is tied not only to heart disease, but also to several cancers, especially in women. As someone who has watched family members battle both diabetes and cancer, this hit hard. It's another layer of urgency for prevention and early screening, especially in women's health initiatives. In a session, aptly named Are You What You Eat?, the spotlight turned to nutrition. But rather than scolding or moralising, the speakers reframed the conversation. People aren't unhealthy because they don't care. They're unhealthy because they don't have options. One poster presented data showing measurable improvements in insulin sensitivity from small upgrades in food quality, such as switching to whole grains or reducing sodium. But even those small steps can be unattainable luxuries in under-resourced communities. Junk food is cheaper than a tomato and provides more energy per serving, so with a limited income, why would I choose the tomato? We're treating diet like a choice, but it's often dictated by economics. By Sunday, the most emotional session of the conference, Rising Risks, Real Solutions: Tackling Childhood Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity, laid bare a terrifying trend. More children are getting Type 2 diabetes, and earlier. It's aggressive, fast-moving and robs young people of a healthy adulthood. South Africa isn't immune from this; we're on the front lines. The success stories came from schools with integrated nutrition and mental health programmes. This kind of holistic care could transform South African schools. I wondered how much we could change if our health and education systems worked in tandem (on the ground in communities) and how much this synergy could change how we approach diabetes in the future. The final sessions I attended on Monday were visionary. They explored how hunger signals are regulated in the brain, how muscle mass affects metabolism and how next-gen drugs are not just managing, but potentially reversing diabetes. The promise? Therapies that promote weight loss, cardiovascular protection and even remission. The problem? Access. I learnt a lot about the various medicines on the market, but just because they exist, doesn't mean they're readily available. In South Africa, even metformin can be out of reach for some. GLP-1 therapies such as semaglutide are available (technically), but are they accessible to the majority? That's where Danish pharmaceutical multinational Novo Nordisk and others like it have a crucial role to play. Novo Nordisk has been pioneering research and partnerships for more than 25 years to improve the lives of people with diabetes and obesity. This symposium made me think about equity in a different light. Equity isn't just about distribution, it's about systems, partnerships and policies that bring the future to those who need it most. And equity is about having choice and the option to choose. Being denied options is being denied agency. What I took from ADA 2025 wasn't just knowledge, it was clarity. Type 2 diabetes is no longer a niche concern or an affluent disease. It's a social epidemic, shaped as much by economics as by biology. South Africa must act: boldly and collaboratively. From health policies to supermarket aisles, from school lunchboxes to transport infrastructure. If we want to treat diabetes, we must treat the conditions that breed it. That means making healthy food accessible. That means reimbursing community health workers. That means equipping clinics with tools to screen not only glucose levels, but social risk. The shift isn't just from control to cure. It's from treatment to transformation. I arrived in Johannesburg jetlagged and overloaded with information, but I returned with purpose. Diabetes is not a disease that exists in isolation, it is something proliferated by our socio-economic systems. And if we don't change our systems, diabetes will continue to become more and more of a concern. In the end, health isn't just about science. It's about justice. Katie Mohamed is the chief executive of BrandFusion, W-Suite and ChangeHub.