International Men’s Day has been commemorated globally annually on 19th November for at least the last five years by both men and women of goodwill. While not yet recognized as an official day by the United Nations, the day is celebrated around the world to bring out the positive value men bring to the World, their families, and communities. This year’s Global theme is “Zero Male Suicide” calling for collaborative efforts towards stopping male suicide.

Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. According to World Health Organization (WHO 2021), 1 in every 100 deaths is by suicide. Among young people aged 15-29, suicide was the fourth leading cause of death after road injury, tuberculosis, and interpersonal violence. In 2019, more than 700,000 people died by suicide.

Statistics from WHO show that suicide in men is twice higher than in women. 12.6 per 100,000 males as compared to 5.4 per 100,000 females.

Suicide is attributed to mental disorders, with anxiety and depressive disorders as the most common. In 2020, the number of people living with anxiety and depressive disorders rose significantly because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people also experience stigma, discrimination, and violations of human rights.

“In most African Societies, mental health remains a topic shrouded in silence and stigma, particularly among men. Traditional gender norms often emphasize stoicism and emotional restraint for men, leading them to suppress their emotions and avoid seeking help when facing mental health challenges.”

Wilson Senyonyi, Gender and Protection Coordinator
Oxfam in Uganda

This societal pressure not only hinders their ability to cope with issues but also perpetuates the notion that mental health concerns are a sign of weakness. So many other issues can be attributed to as the cause for suicide in men, including the existing stigma surrounding mental health disorders, poverty, poor education, and other social determinants that exacerbate mental health conditions and make treatment more difficult. This is further worsened by the inadequate mental health services provided, especially in rural areas.

The reluctance of men to seek mental health services has severe consequences for individuals, families, and communities. Unaddressed mental health disorders can exacerbate substance abuse, domestic violence, and even lead to suicide. When men suffer silently, it creates a ripple effect that impacts their relationships, productivity, and overall well-being.

Many men resort to alcohol and other harmful coping mechanisms as a way to cope with emotional pain or societal pressures, leading to a vicious cycle of addiction and mental health deterioration. Addressing the underlying mental health concerns is crucial to breaking free from this cycle and fostering healthier coping mechanisms.

In 2019, Oxfam in Uganda conducted a study in West-Nile selected districts of Yumbe and Arua both within the refugee and host communities, on assessing alcoholism and drug abuse effects on GBV, which revealed dire consequences of these to abusers, including but not limited to increasing domestic violence, depression, family break ups and attempts to commit suicide especially among men and with some people ending up committing suicide.

Addressing these challenges requires individuals to take collective action at all levels to prevent and mitigate suicide among men. These include, increased investment in mental health, raising awareness at different levels, conducting research on the contributing factors to committing suicide and how these can be mitigated, public education to reduce stigma, especially among men and policy reforms. 

It is also crucial to take an integrated approach that addresses social determinants of mental health, like poverty and education. All individuals must visit a counselor or counselling psychologist at least twice a year, even when everything looks normal.

Suicide among men can be stopped by addressing mental health and related causes. We all can contribute to zero male suicide.