​The issue of suicide is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and there is a higher number of men committing suicide than women. Most men generally do not talk about their problems, and the more problems they have, the more they struggle to cope without anyone to share with and this has resulted in a higher number of male suicide. There is a serious need of platforms for men to share their issues.
As we wrapped up "Movember" which is men's month, last week Friday, the Gauteng Department of Social Development, Tshwane Region hosted Men's Dialogues with men from Soshanguve and surrounding areas at Soshanguve block X.
The aim of the dialogues was to give men a platform to share their issues with other men, who won't judge them, but help them solve their issues in the best way possible.
One of the participants was 35-year-old Issac Kgomontsho, who said that he felt very proud to have been part of the men's event because he has learned a lot of things which he can apply to his life and use them to solve some of the problems he had been dealing with. "Social Development should do more marketing for this type of event going forward, so they can attract more men because men really need the information that is shared in this event, such programs empower and save a lot of lives".
During the dialogue, 25-year-old Mogale Molala from Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, had the opportunity to share his story with the hope of motivating other men to stay positive against all odds. Like many children who commit suicide, Molala's story began when his parents divorced, which led to him to decide between which of the two parents he wanted to stay with, and like most children he ended up living with his mother and as a result he was separated from his father for 15 years.
This affected him negatively, and he ended up depressed, with low self-esteem and anxiety. He started to have suicidal thoughts. He said he had tried to take his own life several times, but each time, he did not succeed. "The fact that I tried to commit suicide multiple times and did not die was a sign that I still have value to add to this world," said Molala.
He went on to encourage men to always be patient with themselves. He said that he was aware that it was hard to be a man nowadays.
However, men should always be patient with themselves, their hustle, and work. They should believe that one day they will become successful and stop putting themselves under too much pressure.
Molala added that "your mental health is your priority, stay away from toxic relationships, friendships and situations, be focused".