By Alex Kachingwe

Blantyre, June 30, Mana: Saint John of God Hospital Services urges men in the country to seek counselling services in health facilities whenever they are depressed other than deciding to commit suicide.

Saint John of God Hospital, Clinical Psychologist, Frank Magagula expressed concern over rising cases of suicide among men in the country and told Malawi News Agency (Mana) Saturday that the trend was worrisome as statistics shows a lot of men committing suicide.

He said economic hardships and broken relationships were some of the factors that compel men to commit suicide apart from beliefs and perception that men are strong and don’t cry.

“The perception that men are strong and never cry has a psychological bearing. A lot of men do not share their problems, the way women do, as a result they decide to commit suicide as an answer to their problems,” the Mental Health Specialist added.

Magagula said drugs and substance abuse plus excessive dependence on alcohol put a lot of men at risk of committing suicide, adding that drugs make most of the users lose self-control

He urged men to seek alternative ways of solving problems other than choosing to use drugs as means of taking away stress.

Therapist in Lilongwe, Beatrice Ndawala said June was a month that was put aside to discuss men’s mental health, adding that there were a lot of activities meant to inform the public about factors that lead to suicide and ways and means to manage stress to avoid suicide.

“Men usually feel it is a weakness to disclose challenges they face in life as a result, they commit suicide if they do not see the way out,” she disclosed, observing that most men who opt for drugs and alcohol as the way to forget their challenges are easily driven to commit suicide.

Ndawala said there should be adequate civic education to encourage men to share their worries whether relating to financial hardships or relationships.

“Government and NGOs should join hands to promote counselling and mental awareness centers in all districts so that people should know where to access services pertaining to mental health issues,” she added.

Malawi Police Service last year recorded more than 256 suicide cases, with more men committing suicide than women with suicide cases still rising in 2024.