South Africa finds itself in the throes of a disconcerting surge in suicide rates, with a particularly disproportionate impact on men. According to a report by the South Africa Society of Psychiatrists, the nation ranks tenth globally in terms of suicide rates. Notably, out of the 13   000 reported suicides, a staggering 10 000 are among men. This alarming scenario necessitates a profound re-evaluation of our approach to addressing men's mental health issues. Furthermore, it is a reality that men are notably less inclined to seek assistance for their mental health challenges. Given that this month is dedicated to raising awareness about men's mental health, it becomes imperative for us to delve into the current state of the South African man's mental well-being. We must earnestly explore both the challenges he faces and formulate strategies to effectively address this critical issue.

CEO of the Cool Dads Foundation Bongani Luvalo, Special Projects Manager at Activate Change Drivers Rammolotsi Sothoane, and Sonke's Regional Programmes & Networking (RPN) Communications and Social Media Coordinator Amukelani Chauke join Lerato Mbele for the conversation,