October Health – 2025 Report
Male Demographic in India
The leading causes of stress among males in India are often tied to societal and cultural expectations, as well as economic pressures. These include:
- Financial Pressures: The expectation to be the primary breadwinner creates significant stress related to earning, saving, and providing for the family.
- Job-Related Stress: Factors such as long working hours, job insecurity, and lack of work-life balance are prominent.
- Social Expectations: Societal norms often place pressure on men to suppress emotions, show strength, and adhere to traditional roles.
- Family Responsibilities: Expectations to support extended families, ensure children’s education, and manage household needs contribute to stress.
- Health and Lifestyle Issues: Ignoring physical and mental health due to stigma or prioritizing work can amplify stress levels.
Employers could encourage resources like mental health support through platforms like October to address these stressors in workplace settings.
How mental health affects the Male demographic differently
Stress Factors Affecting Males More Than Other Genders
1. **Societal Expectations & Gender Roles**
- Pressure to be the primary provider or "breadwinner."
- Expectations to demonstrate emotional strength and hide vulnerability.
2. **Workplace Pressure**
- Competitive environments with greater pressure to climb the corporate ladder.
- Internalized pressure to avoid seeking help or discussing mental health issues due to stigma.
3. **Fatherhood & Family Responsibilities**
- Stress around balancing work with being an involved father while meeting traditional expectations of a provider role.
4. **Underreporting of Mental Health Struggles**
- Reluctance to seek emotional support or counseling due to stigma around mental health for men.
5. **Health Risks & Neglect**
- Stress linked to untreated physical and mental health issues as men are less likely to visit medical professionals regularly.
6. **Violence & Risk Factors**
- Vulnerability to violent crimes, workplace hazards, or high-risk jobs that are male-dominated (e.g., construction, mining).
7. **Retirement Stress**
- Anxiety about financial stability after retirement as men often take on more societal pressure to save and prepare.
Encouraging access to tools like October’s digital mental health services or group support sessions might help men open up about their struggles in a healthy and stigma-free environment.
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.