Book Recommendation: Men and Mental Health – Shattering the Silence by Marion Scher
- Oct 11
- 3 min read
PUBLISHED: 11 October 2025 | 3 MINUTE READ
When it comes to mental health, men are still far less likely to reach out for help, and the consequences can be devastating. In her compelling new book, Men and Mental Health – Shattering the Silence, award-winning journalist Marion Scher tackles this issue head-on, giving voice to the silent struggles of men across South Africa.
Through a series of heartfelt interviews and powerful personal accounts, Scher fuses the experiences of men who’ve battled mental health challenges and the professionals who’ve walked beside them. The result is a deeply moving and practical book that not only sheds light on a national crisis but also offers hope and direction for change.
Breaking the Silence Around Men’s Mental Health
In South Africa, men are five times more likely to die by suicide than women. Yet, as Scher notes, most of the calls to the SADAG (South African Depression and Anxiety Group) helpline still come from women. The message is clear: men are suffering in silence.
Scher explores the unique pressures men face, from the heavy weight of societal expectations and masculinity norms to the lifelong conditioning that discourages emotional vulnerability. These themes echo in the words of musician David Kramer, who reflects:
“Looking back at my upbringing and life, my father didn’t show much emotion and my grandfather showed none at all. I suppose I must have absorbed that same sense of keeping everything inside.”
This generational silence passed from father to son, is one of the central ideas Scher examines. Through candid, first-person accounts, the book shows how destructive it can be when men feel unable to express pain, grief, or fear.
Real Stories, Real Men
What makes Shattering the Silence stand out is its authenticity. Scher features well-known South African figures, including Chad le Clos, Swys de Bruyn, Eugene Khosa, David Kramer, and Robbi Kempson, alongside stories from men from all walks of life. Each story is raw, relatable, and deeply human.
These narratives don’t shy away from the hard truths of depression, anxiety, burnout, and trauma, but they also highlight resilience and recovery. By sharing their stories, these men are doing something incredibly powerful: redefining what it means to be strong.
A Straightforward, No-Nonsense Approach
Known for her direct yet empathetic writing, Marion Scher approaches this difficult topic with clarity and compassion. Her no-nonsense style makes the book accessible to everyone, from those personally affected by mental illness to families, health professionals, and anyone trying to understand the emotional landscape of modern masculinity.
Scher’s work is rooted in three decades of journalism and mental health advocacy. Having done pro bono work for SADAG for over 30 years, she has long been part of the national movement to destigmatize mental illness. Her deep knowledge and dedication shine through on every page.
About the Author
Marion Scher is an award-winning journalist, author, and media consultant with more than 30 years of experience in mental health reporting. In 2005, she was awarded the Rosalynn Carter Mental Health Journalism Fellowship from The Carter Center in Atlanta, which led to her earlier book Surfacing – People Coping with Depression and Mental Illness (2021).
She is also the author of Big Bully – An Epidemic of Unkindness and has ghostwritten numerous books for a diverse range of clients. Through her ongoing collaboration with SADAG, Scher continues to honour Rosalynn Carter’s vision of breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness and promoting open conversations across all levels of society.
Why You Should Read This Book
Men and Mental Health – Shattering the Silence isn’t just a book, it’s a call to awareness and empathy. It urges readers to rethink how we define strength and challenges men to speak up, seek help, and support one another.
This is essential reading for:
Men facing mental health challenges
Families and partners wanting to understand and support their loved ones
Mental health professionals and educators
Anyone who believes that silence should never be the cost of masculinity
In a time when emotional resilience is often mistaken for emotional suppression, Scher’s message rings loud and clear: talking about mental health saves lives.
Where to Get the Book
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