​The City of Cape Town’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and Wellness Team in collaboration with the Employment Equity Branch hosted the Men Talk event on 21 November to encourage all men at the City to speak more openly about their personal issues and to emphasise the importance of seeking help to maintain their physical and mental health.

‘We want our male colleagues here to know that they matter to us and have support options available to them. The City feels strongly that the issues they have to face in their professional or home life needs to be addressed continuously to ensure their general well-being both mentally and physically. South Africa has a significantly high male suicide rate and I believe that if the unhealthy thinking pattern that men should not speak about their problems is addressed, we could prevent men from feeling overwhelmed or isolated, especially when under pressure. A key reminder which came out of the Men’s Talk session was how an active lifestyle could provide a great sense of achievement and relief from the anxiety many men continually have to face while trying to manage the various roles they need to fulfil,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, Councillor Sharon Cottle.

Guest speaker at the Men Talk event was the much loved and entertaining, Dr. Michael Mol who sincerely appealed to all the men to prioritise adopting an active lifestyle. Dr. Mol stressed how by simply becoming more active daily and making it a non-negotiable aspect of their lives they could not only improve their physical well-being but experience remarkable effects on their mental health.

Key topics covered during the morning included depression; suicide; the importance of open communication and very importantly why gender-based violence is not only a women’s issue. The men in attendance demonstrated their commitment to put an end to gender based violence and femicide by signing a City of Cape Town men pledge against gender violence.

The EAP and Wellness lifestyle team also conducted Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) testing at the event. Screening for Prostate Cancer was available to all attendees.

‘We plan to continue with enjoyable and informative sessions such as this and believe it is important that our male employees understand the support available to them through the City’s EAP and Wellness programme,’ said Councillor Cottle