Breaking the silence and addressing male suicide in Namibia

Reading a headline in a government newspaper titled 'Real Men Do Cry' has left me with no choice but to speak out, as this topic requires serious discussion and attention in our country. As a man, this issue is not a small matter – it is serious and affects men across all corners of Namibia. It is a matter that we, as a nation, are failing to address adequately. It is, in fact, a national problem. I must express my appreciation to the reporter who covered the topic of male suicide with a headline that appropriately addresses the gravity of the issue, sparking a much-needed conversation. However, it is important that we continue to explore and tackle the underlying factors that contribute to this crisis.In Namibia, a silent crisis is claiming the lives of men at an alarming rate. Statistics from August 2022 to June 2023 reveal that 623 individuals died by suicide, with a staggering 82% of them being men. This translates to a death rate of 21 per 100 000 population, a troubling figure that highlights a pressing public health concern.The issue of male suicide is deeply rooted in societal norms that discourage men from expressing vulnerability. From a young age, boys are taught to suppress their emotions, leading to a culture where seeking help is seen as weakness. As these boys grow into men, the inability to voice their struggles becomes a ticking time bomb. Men are often regarded as pillars of strength, expected to withstand adversity without complaint.This expectation has created a world where they suffer in silence, unable to share their burdens for fear of being ridiculed or labelled as “weak.” The societal narrative that equates emotional expression with femininity is toxic and outdated. It reinforces the notion that men are not allowed to feel pain or ask for help, ultimately leading to severe mental health consequences. Economic pressures also play a significant role in male suicide. In a country where unemployment rates are high and financial opportunities are limited, men often feel immense pressure to fulfil traditional roles as providers.When men fail to meet these expectations, feelings of inadequacy and hopelessness set in, driving many to despair. For some, the only perceived escape from this crushing weight is to take their own lives. Substance abuse further compounds the issue. Many men, unable to cope with their emotional pain, turn to alcohol or drugs as a temporary relief. This only worsens their mental state and increases impulsivity, leading to fatal decisions.Inadequate resourcesMental health services in Namibia remain inaccessible to many.Public clinics are overstretched and underfunded, often unable to provide adequate support for individuals in crisis. Private psychological services, on the other hand, are prohibitively expensive for the majority of the population. This leaves men with limited options for addressing their mental health struggles. Organisations such as LifeLine/ChildLine Namibia play a crucial role in offering counselling services, but their reach is limited. Many individuals, particularly in rural areas, remain unaware of these resources or are unable to access them.The stigma surrounding mental health is another significant barrier. Men fear judgement and ridicule if they admit to struggling with their mental health, which prevents them from seeking help. The societal attitude toward men in distress is deeply flawed. When a man walks into a police station to report abuse or mistreatment, he is often laughed at or dismissed.This dismissive attitude discourages men from turning to law enforcement or other authorities for help. Instead, many feel compelled to take matters into their own hands, often with tragic consequences. While it is not acceptable for anyone to take the law into their own hands, the lack of support for men in distress pushes them into desperate situations.Churches and religious institutions, which are pillars of community support, have also been slow to respond to the needs of men. In many cases, men in crisis wait for days or even weeks before receiving help. The delay in assistance from religious institutions is unacceptable and highlights the need for more responsive systems of support. It is clear that the current societal and institutional structures are not designed to support men effectively.Helpful supportThe system, in many ways, seems to work against them. The Namibian Constitution guarantees the right to equality and protection for all citizens. However, the reality for men in crisis suggests that these rights are not being upheld. The idea that men are inherently “strong” or “resilient” is a stereotype that undermines their humanity.Men are just as vulnerable to emotional pain and mental health challenges as anyone else. To address this, Namibia can draw lessons from other countries that have successfully tackled similar crises. For instance, Australia's 'Men's Sheds' initiative provides men with safe spaces to connect, discuss their struggles and engage in meaningful activities. Adopting this model in Namibia could create supportive environments for men, particularly in rural areas.Sweden's integration of mental health services into primary care is another example worth emulating. By making mental health care more accessible and reducing stigma through nationwide campaigns, Sweden has significantly improved outcomes. Namibia can follow suit by expanding mental health services in public clinics and running awareness campaigns tailored to men. The United Kingdom’s 'Improving Access to Psychological Therapies' (IAPT) programme offers free, easily accessible therapy to those in need. Namibia could adopt this model, providing subsidised psychological services to ensure affordability for low-income men.Furthermore, Namibia has a growing pool of unemployed graduates, many of whom have qualifications in psychology, social work or related fields. Training and deploying these individuals as community-based mental health counsellors could serve a dual purpose: addressing unemployment while expanding access to mental health support. Failure to act on this issue will have severe consequences. Each life lost to suicide represents a failure of society to provide adequate support and a community left grieving. The government, NGOs and society at large must unite to prioritise men’s mental health. Public awareness campaigns are crucial to challenging harmful stereotypes and encouraging men to seek help without fear of judgement.Community leaders, religious institutions and law enforcement must work together to create a culture of care and compassion. Police stations and churches should be safe spaces where men can report abuse or seek help without fear of ridicule. Media platforms can play a vital role in normalising discussions around mental health, highlighting stories of resilience and recovery to inspire others. Peer support groups and community-based programmes can provide men with the social connections and emotional support they need to thrive. Suicide is preventable, but it requires collective action and political will. By learning from global practices and leveraging local resources, Namibia can create a future where no man feels compelled to suffer in silence.Every life matters. It is time to break the silence and build a society that values and supports all its members, regardless of gender.Missing: Mentorship and cultural practicesOne important aspect of supporting men’s mental health that cannot be overlooked is the role of mentorship. In many African cultures, there is a tradition of older men mentoring younger men through regimental systems, like those of the Herero, Swazi and Zulu. This sense of belonging and guidance is something that many young Namibian men today lack. Sadly, many older men are not in a position to offer this mentorship, as they themselves were never given the opportunity to be properly mentored. Their life experiences, often shaped by hardship, left them blind to their own emotional and mental needs, making it harder to guide the next generation.One potential solution is to introduce mentorship programmes through initiatives like the 'Men's Shed', where older men can pass on wisdom, share experiences and offer emotional support to young men. If we could pilot such an initiative in one community and then gradually expand it, it could help create spaces where young men are not only able to talk about their struggles but also learn from the experiences of older generations.In conclusion, the crisis of male suicide in Namibia is a dire issue that demands urgent attention from all sectors of society.The harmful societal norms, economic pressures and stigma surrounding mental health must be challenged and changed to create an environment where men feel supported and safe in expressing their struggles. It is imperative that we work together to provide accessible mental health care, create awareness and foster a culture of empathy and understanding. Only then can we begin to address the alarming rates of suicide among men and ensure that no individual feels they must suffer in silence.*The article is authored by Hidipo Hamata in his personal capacity and is not affiliated with any political or religious group. It was written at Omafo, Helao Nafidi Town, Ohangwena Region.

Breaking the silence and addressing male suicide in Namibia

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

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Breaking the silence and addressing male suicide in Namibia

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

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