19TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
RAYAC REAL TALK
LionsDon’tCry:LionsDon’tCry...ButMaybe
TheyShould.................
By Sis Sibusisiwe Ndlovu - 19 ED RAYAC EDITOR TH
Prioritizing Men’s Whole Health — Body, Mind & Spirit
JuneisMen’sHealthMonth,andthisyear, RAYACissayingitloudlyandclearly:Men matter
Theirhealingmatters.Theirhealthmatters. Theirsilencematters.
Andyes theirstoriesmattertoo
Inourchurches,ourhomes,andour communities,we'vesomehowcometobelieve thatmenmustalwaysbestrong,alwayshave ittogether,andnevershowanycracks.But thetruth?
Toomanyofourbrothersaresufferingin silence,carryingemotional,mental,andeven physicalweightsthatarecrushing but theykeepsmiling,showingup,andsaying, “I’mfine.”
�� The Silent Struggle
Mentalhealthdoesn’talwayslookliketears Sometimes,itlookslike:
Overworking Withdrawing
Suddenoutburstsofanger
Emotionaldistance
Thequiet“I’mokay”thatdoesn’tmatchthe painintheireyes
Thepressureonmentoprovide,protect,and perform withouteverbeinggivenspacetofeel isnotjustunrealistic.It’sheartbreaking.And it’spushingmanyintosilentbattleswith depression,burnout,anxiety,andevensuicidal thoughts.
AtRAYAC,weboldlydeclare: Thesearenotsignsofspiritualfailure Thesearehumanbattles real,valid,andworthy ofattentionandcare.
EvenJesus perfect,divine,andholy wept (John11:35)
Sowhyarewestilltellingmennottocry?
JuneisMen’sMentalHealthMonth,andthisyear’stheme
“ClosingtheEmpathyGapinMen’sHealththroughAdvocacy,Awareness,andAction” invitesustopauseandreconsiderhowwenurturetheemotionalwell-beingofbothmenandboys. Itchallengesustolookbeyondoutdatedideasofmasculinityandstrength,andinsteadfocusoncompassion, connection,andcare.It’sacalltoclosetheemotionaldistancethattoooftenisolatesourbrothers,sons,and fathers andtoremindthemthattheirfeelingsarenotfailures,butsignalsthatdeservesupport
Beyond the Stereotypes: “Man Up” is Not Ministry
“Lionsdon’tcry.”
“Manup.”
“Realmendon’tshowweakness.”
We’ve heard these words too often They sound strong, but they silence pain They promise strengthbutstealsoftness Theycreatewarriorswhoarehurtingbehindthearmor
This Men’s Health Month, we ’ re breaking the myth. Because behind every silent brother is a battleweneedtosee,support,andspeakabout.
It Matters
Observed every June, Men’s Health Month is more than a campaign it’s a call to awareness, advocacy, and action. It’s a reminder that men deserve holistic care: physical, mental, emotional,andspiritual
From heart disease to depression, cancer to burnout, the challenges are many and too often ignored Many men delay seeking help until it’s too late That’s why this month is about shining a light, starting conversations, and offering supportbeforethecrisis
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Men’s Health Month should serveasaspringboardforsafespaces,resourcesharing,andcommunityhealing.
South African men are less likely than women to seek help for mental health challenges, oftenduetostigma,culturalpressure,andlackofaccess
According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), men account for approximately75%ofsuicidesinthecountry.
The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) reports that men are more likely to diefrompreventableillnessessuchasheartdiseaseanddiabetes largelyduetodelaysin seekingmedicalhelp.
A 2023 survey by Stats SA found that over 30% of South African men experience high psychologicaldistress,butfewerthan10%reportaccessingmentalhealthservices.
Key Aspects of Men’s Health Month
RaisingAwareness
Sheddinglightoncommonmalehealthissues from heartdiseaseandcancertomentalhealthanddiabetes. EncouragingPreventiveCare
Manymenskiproutinecheck-ups.Thismonth,we encourageyoutoscheduleproactivescreeningsand wellnessappointments
AddressingMentalHealth
Mentalwell-beingisstilloneofthemostneglected areasofmen’slives.Wemustbreakthestigmaand normalizeseekinghelp.
PromotingHealthyLifestyles
Balanced nutrition, exercise, rest, and stress management are nonnegotiables notluxuries.
FocusingonSpecificConditions
Junealsobringsfocustomale-specific conditions like prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and urological health
Mental health struggles often wear disguises the Sunday suit, the humor, the “I’ve gotthis”attitude.Butbehindthosemaskscanbedeepwounds. Menareexpectedtoprotect,provide,andperform. Butwhoprotectsthem?Whogivesthempermissiontopause,feel,andheal? EvenJesus theLionofJudah wept.
IftheSonofGodcouldgrieveopenly,surelyourbrotherscantoo.
Faith, Feelings & Freedom
“Hehealsthebrokenheartedandbindsuptheirwounds”–Psalm147:3 The Silent Battle We Don’t See
At RAYAC, we believe in a gospel that heals holistically body,mind,andsoul. Vulnerabilityisnotweakness;it’swisdom. Prayerandtherapycanco-exist. Scripture and science can work together in thehealingprocess.
ThisMen’sHealthMonth,weproclaim:
“You don’t have to carry it alone. You don’t have tobesilenttobestrong.”
Youdon’tneedamedicaldegreeorapulpittomakeadifference. Here’showyoucanhelp:
✅ Encourageabrothertogetacheck-up
✅ Startconversationsaboutmentalandphysicalhealth
✅ Shareresourcesandinvitementohealtheventsorworkshops
✅ Checkinconsistently notjustinacrisis
✅ Helpcreatespaceswheremencanspeakfreelywithoutjudgment
ToOurBrothers:
Youaremorethanyourproductivity. Youaremorethanyourpaycheck. Youaremorethanyourperformance. Youareallowedtorest.
Youareallowedtocry.
Youareallowedtoaskforhelp. Yourstrengthisnotinyoursilence it’sinyourhonesty,humility,and healing.