‘Pressure on men is overwhelming,’ says Psychologist

Clinical psychologist, Dr. Daniel Hollander, says men often carry more responsibility than they should — a burden that contributes to the country’s alarmingly high male suicide rate.

His comments come in the wake of a viral video that circulated over the weekend, showing a man tragically taking his own life by jumping off a highway bridge in Durban. The incident sparked widespread online debate about gender roles and the emotional expectations placed on men in contemporary society.

Speaking to Ynews, Dr. Hollander emphasized that the weight of responsibility should never be carried in isolation.

“Men do carry heavy responsibilities,” he said, “but throughout our history, responsibility was never meant to be shouldered alone. Under colonial and apartheid legacies, men were often separated from their families and taught that their worth came only from provision. That legacy still shapes stress today. Ubuntu reminds us that responsibility must be shared — not borne in isolation.”

According to Dr. Hollander, many men report experiencing overwhelming financial and societal pressure that they feel unequipped to handle.

“Research shows that rigid adherence to traditional masculine roles — being the provider, staying stoic — increases stress and discourages help-seeking. The burden is not just material, it’s deeply cultural,” he explains.

He argued that society must let go of the myth that men are meant to endure hardship in silence. Instead, it should focus on rebuilding supportive communal structures that allow emotional vulnerability.

Dr. Hollander believes that the country’s high suicide rate among men is deeply tied to a culture that teaches men to suppress emotion and avoid seeking support.

“Men often turn to suicide because silence has been handed down as the only language of pain. They are taught not to cry, not to need, and not to lean on others. Suicide, tragically, becomes the result of being cut off from connection. The way forward is through restoring relationships — because life is preserved through connection,” he said.

For those currently facing life’s heaviest challenges, Dr. Hollander offers a message of hope and a call to reach out.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao