Patience Makwele
Namibian men are being urged to break the culture of silence around mental health as the country continues to record hundreds of suicide deaths and thousands of attempts.
Namibia recorded 542 suicide cases and 2 937 suicide attempts in 2023/24, figures presented by the ministry of health and social services and reported by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The figures have renewed calls for greater openness around mental health, particularly among men, who accounted for 60% of the 422 suicide deaths recorded nationally in 2023, according to figures presented by the ministry.
The issue took centre stage at the One Economy Foundation’s annual Game Changers Corporate and Family Fun Day in Windhoek on Saturday, where gender-based violence (GBV), femicide, mental health and sexual and reproductive health were among the issues discussed.
One Economy Foundation clinical psychologist Gregorius Amadhila said worrying statistics around suicide, GBV and mental health point to the number of people struggling without seeking help.
“The cases were recorded, and these statistics are quite concerning,” Amadhila said, adding that many individuals, including survivors and victims, are affected mentally, emotionally and physically.
He said the situation was particularly concerning for men, who often struggle to speak about their mental health and seek support.
“Given the size of our population, a single life lost to suicide is one life too many,” he said.
For Sebastian Alweendo, one of the men who attended the event, the conversations highlighted the pressure men face to appear strong even when they are struggling.
“What stood out for me is that as men, we are raised to believe that you must always be strong. When something is bothering you, you are expected to just deal with it. But sometimes you reach a point where you realise you cannot carry everything by yourself,” Alweendo said.
He said creating spaces where men can speak with one another without fear of judgement could make it easier for them to seek support.
“I think having a place like this makes it easier because you are talking to other men and you realise that you are not the only one going through certain things. It also helps remove that fear of being judged. Sometimes you don’t need someone to solve your problems, you just need someone to listen,” he said.
The need for such spaces was reflected in the event’s ‘Barbershop Corner’, which provided an informal setting for conversations around mental health and wellbeing.
BeFree Youth Campus social worker Olsen Syunda said the initiative was aimed at creating an environment where men could discuss difficult experiences openly and without judgement.
“We wanted to create safe spaces where men can engage openly, feel free to express themselves, and be understood in an environment where they are comfortable,” Syunda said.
He encouraged men to become more open about their struggles and support one another during difficult periods.
Another attendee, Sakaria Haitembu, said conversations about men’s mental health should extend beyond awareness events and become part of everyday life.
“Yes, but I think these conversations need to happen more often and not only when there is an event. A lot of men are dealing with pressure from work, finances, relationships and family, but you are expected to keep going as if everything is fine,” Haitembu said.
He said reducing judgement and challenging traditional expectations around masculinity could encourage more men to seek help.
“For me, the biggest thing is having people around you who will not immediately judge you or tell you to ‘be a man’. We need to understand that asking for help does not make you weak. If we can make that normal among men, I think more people will speak before things become serious,” he said.
The event also featured interactive health and wellness stalls, alongside fitness activities aimed at encouraging healthier lifestyles and community engagement.
The discussions reinforced the need for safe, accessible spaces where men can talk about emotional and mental-health challenges before they escalate into crisis.
