Examining Factors Contributing to Mental Disorders Among Grade 12 Male Learners in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Objective:  Male learners usually do not disclose easily about their problems, and this makes them to be more at risk of attempting suicide than adults. This also affects their relationships with their friends, family, colleagues, and community. This study aims to examine the factors that contribute to mental disorders among grade 12 male learners in Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Methods and Materials: This study is qualitative in nature, and the thematic content analysis method is used to analyse and interpret data. The study used semi-structured interviews with 10 male learners about their perceptions on their mental health at schools. Purposive and convenience sampling methods were used in order for the researcher to gather information from 10 male participants who are specifically in intimate relationships and data was collected using semi-structured interviews so to gather as much information as possible so to get more insight about men’s perceptions and awareness on their mental well-being.

Findings: The findings of this study confirmed that learners are aware of their mental health. Majority of the participants believe that their mental health is often overlooked due to societal or cultural norms. For instance, toxic masculinity around male learners.

Conclusion: These norms have a great influence on help-seeking behaviour of learners, majority of male learners do not seek help because they fear that society will regard them as powerless, not man enough, or weak. Researcher recognised challenges that men face when trying to seek help, these include societal expectations, societal norms, and toxic masculinity (gender roles for men). Fear of being mocked, and fear of being rejected are some of the reasons that discourage men from seeking professional help.