October Health – 2025 Report
Male Demographic in South Africa
The leading causes of stress among males in South Africa often stem from economic pressures, such as job insecurity, financial instability, and unemployment. Other significant contributors are societal expectations related to masculinity, work-related stress, and family responsibilities. Addressing these issues through workplace initiatives, like those provided by October, can support male employees in managing stress effectively.
How mental health affects the Male demographic differently
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Societal Expectations: Males often face pressure to conform to traditional masculine roles, which can lead to stress when they feel they cannot meet these expectations.
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Workplace Competition: In many cultures, men may experience heightened competition in male-dominated industries, leading to increased stress regarding performance and achievement.
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Emotional Suppression: Men are often socialized to suppress their emotions, which can lead to internalized stress and difficulty in seeking help for mental health issues.
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Financial Pressure: Traditional gender roles may place the burden of financial stability on men, leading to stress related to job security and income.
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Work-Life Balance: Men may feel pressure to prioritize work over family responsibilities, leading to stress from trying to balance these sometimes competing demands.
Encouraging open discussions around these stressors in the workplace, supported by programs like October’s digital group sessions, can help facilitate understanding and support.
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.