Other expected speakers include Mothusi Ncube, Dr Kgomotso Jongman, Thabo Mhlanga, Luke Woodford, Dr O. E. Nthebolang, and Linda Bojang, while Tumisang Mothei will direct the proceedings.
Mental health is an issue that disproportionately affects men and they often lack access to resources or a safe space where they can openly express themselves without fear of judgement.
Sometimes, the symptoms of mental illness can lead to decisions that one would later regret. Exquisitely Boity Events Management, the organisers of the conference, believes that being in a good mental state is vital for one’s health and wellness. As such, they have found it fitting to curate, organise, and facilitate such a space to address mental health issues in a relaxed, informative, and educational way. Boitumelo Keoagile, director at Exquisitely Boity Events Management, said they aim to provide men with an opportunity to dissect, discuss and map a way forward on how mental health issues can be tackled.
“Depression is a serious mental health issue and having gone through that, I found it fit to create this Men N’ Mind Conference to share ideas, strategies, and ways in which we can help each other overcome such challenges,” Keoagile said. Keoagile said the Men N’ Mind Conference is expected to be an engaging platform where attendees will leave with insight, knowledge, and a better understanding of mental health issues.
Some of the topics expected to be covered include co-dependency, avoidance, and self-esteem; misconceptions that contribute to mental health and consequential impact; letting go of our limiting beliefs; the pregnancy journey - its impact on men’s mental health; promoting psychological safety for men and the importance of thought leadership in the modern world; and forgive and live a life ordained by God.
Keoagile further highlighted that the Men N’ Mind Conference is specifically for men as she feels that they are often judged or left out when such issues are being discussed. She is of the view that men carry lots of burdens and weight on their shoulders, which they should let out to feel lighter.
“Mental health is a complex, broad issue that can affect every one of us. It is important to find ways to improve it, such as working smart, not hard, investing in self-care routines, loving ourselves, and finding ways to improve ourselves spiritually, mentally, and/or physically. Focusing on these can bring clarity over clatter. Our Men N’ Mind Conference is a platform where we aim to have a safe space for men to discuss issues that affect them. We want to make sure that we tackle important aspects that contribute to mental health,” she added.
