During the month of June, which is globally recognised as Men’s Mental Health Month, Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital and its resident psychiatrist, Dr. Arturo José Sánchez Hernández, is drawing fresh attention to men’s emotional well-being in Ngamiland.
Their efforts arrive at a critical time when the World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that the suicide rate among African men is roughly 2.2 times higher than among women, with about 78% of suicides occurring in low- and middle-income countries, including many across the continent.
WHO estimates close to 800,000 suicides occur worldwide each year, and most are preventable. Yet, African governments spend under US $0.50 per person on mental health, far below the recommended US $2. The treatment gap is further widened by a shortage of mental health professionals, with the continent averaging just 1.4 mental health workers per 100,000 people.
Against this backdrop, Dr. Sánchez says men in Ngamiland face a culture of self-reliance taken to an extreme—echoing broader African trends where masculine norms and emotional suppression dominate.
“One of the main challenges is cultural stigma, which leads many men to hide their emotions or avoid seeking help. Long distances make timely access to specialized care difficult,” he explains.
Dr. Sánchez emphasizes the urgency of early intervention. Research from the hospital shows that many men seek help only after enduring prolonged suffering, often triggered by family breakdowns, job loss, or legal problems. This aligns with WHO’s observation that while suicide is the visible tip of the iceberg, many more men silently struggle with depression, substance use, and emotional distress.
In a powerful message to mark Men’s Mental Health Month, Dr. Sánchez says: “Taking care of your mental health is a sign of strength. You are not alone. Speaking up doesn’t make you weak — it makes you human. Asking for help is a step toward a fuller, more meaningful life. You matter. Your story matters. Your well-being matters. It’s always a good time to start healing.”
As Ngamiland observes Men’s Mental Health Month, the work being done at Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital shines as a beacon of hope. In a region where men’s pain often hides behind silence, Dr. Sánchez and his team are building a culture where emotional expression becomes a path not only to healing—but to strength and dignity.
At Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital, men can access a broad range of services from psychiatric assessments and addiction therapy to sexual-health counselling, grief support, and family interventions.
“Our approach is holistic and culturally sensitive, tailored to the realities faced by men in the Ngamiland region,” says Dr. Sánchez.
To mark Men’s Mental Health Month, the hospital is amplifying its outreach through the “Mental Health in the Heart of Maun” campaign. The campaign spreads empowering messages, recovery stories, and mental wellness tips through weekly posts, blog articles, a WhatsApp group, and Facebook. Its aim is to destigmatize help-seeking, especially for men in their 30s and older, who are often the hardest to reach.
Their ongoing efforts also include educational books tailored to men and adolescents, covering topics like addiction, loneliness, heartbreak, and resilience. One upcoming title, Rebirth Behind Bars, forms the basis of a new program supporting incarcerated men to develop emotional resilience and prepare for reintegration.
