Tristan Wade, a Newcastle resident, is on a mission to raise awareness about men’s mental health and shatter the stigma often attached to men seeking help.
His dedication to challenging the stigma surrounding men’s mental health has led him to create a striking work of art along Victoria Road in Newcastle.
According to the South African Society for Psychiatrists, suicide is one of the leading causes of death globally and the prevalence amongst men is considerably higher than for women.
The society adds that South Africa is ranked number 10 on the list of countries with the most suicides with 23,5 per 100 000 population. “Of the 13 774 suicides reported in South Africa, 10 861 were men whilst 2 913 were women – translating to a rate of 37,6 per 100 000 for men and 9,8 per 100 000 for women,” stated the Society in a statement.
Adding to the grim image, the South African Society for Psychiatrists explained that South Africa is not unique in this statistic as worldwide, men’s suicide is ranked higher. “Among the 703 000 people dying every year, the suicide rate for men – 12.6 per 100 000- is considerably higher than that for women – 5.4 per 100 000.”
Furthermore, the Men’s Foundation highlighted that one in four individuals will experience a mental health problem in their lifetime. Additionally, the Foundation emphasised that globally, 510,000 men die from suicide annually, underscoring the prevalence of men enduring such challenges alone.
Reflecting on the alarming statistics and the tendency to overlook men’s mental health issues, Wade recently adorned a mural outside Pam Golding’s offices to advocate for the significance of men’s mental health. “I am passionate about men’s mental health, especially as I have been through some extreme stuff in my life. As an artist, I thought I would get the message out,” he stated.
Featuring the bold message of ‘Breaking the Silence’ along with hashtags #menshealth and #sexualassaultawareness, Wade’s mural aims to foster dialogue and awareness about men’s health issues.
Moreover, Wade is in discussions with the Men’s Foundation to potentially serve as an ambassador for the organisation, which offers programmes addressing men’s mental health issues alongside health concerns like prostate and testicular cancer, spearheading the Movember movement.
Commenting on his mural and prospective role with the Men’s Foundation, Wade expressed, “I feel there are not enough resources for men’s mental health. There is a stigma around men’s mental health, and we are often told that men don’t cry. I want to get men to speak up about their mental health as the moment you talk about it, you start healing.”
Wade aims to reassure men that they need not navigate their mental health journey alone and should not be overlooked in addressing their mental health. “People should know everyone deals with mental health issues at least once in their lives and should not be stigmatised,” he emphasised.
As Tristan Wade prepares to raise awareness on mental health issues among men, he urges men to speak up and initiate the healing process for a happier and healthier life.
While Wade’s efforts are commendable, what are your thoughts on the issues raised? Be sure to share your views in the comments section below.
