Strong on the Inside: Changing the Way Men Think About Health

In South Africa, where masculine norms often discourage vulnerability, a quiet but powerful shift is taking place. More men are stepping up, speaking out, prioritising their well-being, and reshaping what strength looks like.

Breaking mental‑health silence

As CEO Garron Gsell of the Men’s Foundation SA puts it, “Toxic masculinity… tells men to prioritise toughness, stoicism, and dominance over their well-being”. The consequences are stark: men here rank among the world’s shortest-lived, with suicide claims significantly more male lives. On average, 17 out of 21 daily suicides are men. Organisations such as SADAG’s 24/7 helpline are working to save lives, and campaigns like Movember (an annual campaign where men grow moustaches throughout November to raise awareness about men's health issues) and Men’s Health Week aim to normalise asking for help and reduce stigma.

Regular check‑ups: beyond “he’ll be right”

Local urologists are urging men to recognise that regular screenings matter. Nationwide, South African men are more likely to wait until health issues become serious before seeking help, even with conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and certain cancers. Prostate cancer, for instance, claims more lives than breast cancer in this country. Alarmingly, only 22% of men have even heard of it before diagnosis (Source: www.yeswecare.co.za).

Medical experts now recommend annual checks for men aged 45 + (or 40 + with family history), including PSA tests and digital rectal exams, which can raise five‑year survival to nearly 95% when caught early (Source: www.netcare.co.za).

Testicular awareness

Testicular cancer is most common in young men between 15–49. National Health Service (NHS) style self‑examinations are simple steps that could save lives, yet many men overlook them, seeing self‑exams as emasculating or unnecessary.

Rewriting masculinity through dialogue

Amidst growing awareness, men’s mental health is finding a voice in unexpected places, barbershops, gyms, and sports clubs. These environments offer informal yet vital spaces where men feel safer opening up to peers. Movember’s moustache movement and Men’s Health Week serve as reminders that courage isn’t just about physical feats, it’s about seeking help and looking after our bodies and minds .

Changing attitudes, sharper results

Local data shows that by rejecting outdated norms, men live longer and healthier lives. In 2009, South African life expectancy was 54 years, today it stands at 61, thanks in part to improved awareness and screening (Source: www.netcare.co.za). Prostate checks, testicular self‑exams and honest conversations about mental wellness, these are not signs of weakness but acts of responsibility and resilience.

Ways men can take control:

·       Book annual check-ups: Tests for blood pressure, cholesterol, prostate and testicular health.

·       Perform monthly testicular self‑exams: It's quick, private, and can save your life.

·       Connect with support: Helplines like SADAG (0800 567 567) and SANCA are available, even in your home language.

·       Foster male community spaces: Engage in group chats, sports groups, or barber-clinic chats to stay emotionally in tune.

Strong doesn’t mean silent. In South Africa, men are stepping up, talking, checking and helping one another to live longer and more fulfilled lives. It’s time we celebrate that as true strength.