October Health – 2025 Report
Male Demographic in Eswatini
Leading population-level stressor for males in Eswatini: financial strain from unemployment or underemployment and the pressure to be the primary breadwinner.
Other notable stressors include health concerns (notably HIV/AIDS and related stigma) and managing family responsibilities.
Workplace tips: offer confidential employee assistance programs (EAPs), financial well-being support, and flexible work arrangements; consider October’s digital group sessions focused on stress management and resilience for teams.
How mental health affects the Male demographic differently
- Societal expectations and masculine norms (context: Eswatini) — pressure to be the primary provider and to appear strong; can lead to emotional suppression and delaying help-seeking.
- Financial/providing role and job security — anxiety about income, supporting family, and job stability; can manifest as chronic stress and irritability.
- Occupational risk and physical strain — greater exposure to high-risk or physically demanding work (e.g., construction, farming in some contexts); injuries, chronic pain, and sleep disruption.
- Coping behaviors and health risks — tendency to use alcohol or other risky coping mechanisms; avoidance of healthcare or psychological support.
- Stigma around mental health and help-seeking — fear of judgment, confidentiality concerns, and lower utilization of available supports.
Data from October Health
What's driving mental health stresses for the Male demographic in South African?
Proactive mental fitness for high performance staff.
Understand the stresses and workplace challenges of your staff and provide them with the tools to protect their productivity and mental health.