September Spotlight on a Silent Crisis
In South Africa, September isn’t just the start of spring, it’s Suicide Awareness Month, a time to confront the alarming mental health statistics that reveal a silent crisis among men. According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), men account for nearly 75% of suicides nationwide. Yet cultural expectations often teach men to “man up,” leaving many to suffer quietly.
This month, South African actor and musician Danny Ross took to Instagram to share his own journey, giving a rare glimpse into the pressures men face behind closed doors. Best known for his role as Jerome October in Suidooster, Ross has also starred in Nommer 37, Barakat, 24 Hours to Live, and Netflix’s Resident Evil.
“Welcome to ‘When Men Heal with Danny Ross’. After discovering I had underlying anger and trauma and struggled to communicate how I truly felt in a healthy way, I decided to seek professional help from a clinical psychologist,” Ross wrote.
He emphasised the lack of safe spaces for men to talk openly, hoping his vulnerability encourages others to confront their own mental health.
Understanding Anger and Trauma
Anger isn’t always explosive, it can lurk quietly in irritability, withdrawal, or chronic frustration. Trauma, too, isn’t always the result of dramatic events; it can accumulate from childhood wounds, relationship breakdowns, loss, abuse, or societal pressures.
Research from the National Center for PTSD shows that unresolved trauma affects self-perception, trust, and stress management, while the American Psychological Association warns that unaddressed anger can mask deeper pain. For men, these challenges are compounded by societal pressure to appear strong, leaving pain unspoken and, sometimes, destructive.
Mental health experts highlight that unresolved trauma and unregulated anger don’t just harm emotional well-being—they affect physical health as well. Studies in the Journal of Psychiatric Research link chronic trauma and anger to heart disease, high blood pressure, anxiety, and substance abuse.
When Men Heal: Ross’s Mission
Ross’s platform, “When Men Heal”, aims to challenge these destructive norms. By speaking openly about therapy and his personal struggles, he is normalising vulnerability in a culture that often equates masculinity with silence.
“By creating this platform, I hope to inspire more men to take ownership of their mental health. Sending a big hug to all men out there suffering in silence,” he shared.
His honesty has struck a chord with fans, many of whom praised his courage online. On social media, followers expressed gratitude, calling his openness “refreshing” and “a wake-up call for men to speak up.”
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The Stakes Are High
Suicide Awareness Month serves as a stark reminder: the cost of silence is enormous. For South African men, the combination of societal expectations, unacknowledged trauma, and untreated anger can have devastating consequences for relationships, careers, and personal health.
Ross’s message is clear: healing starts with conversation, professional support, and safe spaces for vulnerability. If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to SADAG at 0800 567 567 or Lifeline at 0861 322 322.
His story reminds us all that true courage is not the absence of pain—it is facing it, speaking it, and transforming it.
{Source: IOL}
Featured Image: Oh! Talent Management
