As the world commences No-Shave November, Cape Town Gin & Spirits Company and the Men’s Foundation South Africa give a nod to the difficulties men face when it comes to their physical and mental health.
“As far back as we know boys have been told to ‘man up’, men are the providers and have to be strong. The result? Men feel they can’t ask for help for fear of looking weak,” says Craig van der Venter, founder and managing director of Cape Town Gin & Spirits Company. “But sometimes help is necessary.”
Men are suffering in silence… global statistics suggest that men are less likely than women to seek professional help for their health.
And back home, Stats SA reports that the average life expectancy for South African men is just 60. The number of men being diagnosed with late-stage cancer is rising, and men are four times more likely to die by suicide than women.
“There is so much work that we as a society need to do to address the centuries old stigma around men getting help for their health and wellness. And not only this, but we also need to educate boys and men on where they can get help when they do need it.”, comments van der Venter. This is why Cape Town Gin & Spirits Company works with the Men’s Foundation South Africa – all year round.
Established in 2015, The Men’s Foundation South Africa strives to raise awareness and funds to address the key health and social challenges facing South African men, including prostate and testicular cancer, GBV prevention and depression.
“In 2022, there is an average of 17 men taking their lives a day. Part of the work that we’re doing at the Men’s Foundation is addressing the challenge of men suffering in silence. Our partnership with the Cape Town Gin & Spirits Company aims to bring men into a safe environment to start talking about their health” said Garron Gsell from the Men’s Foundation South Africa.
“As an NPO that tackles issues facing men we wanted to support the foundations efforts to raise funds to help men live happier, healthier and longer lives.”, van der Venter adds. So, for every bottle of Cape Town Classic Dry Gin sold, a portion of the proceeds go to the Men’s Foundation SA.
A tribute to traditional gins, the Cape Town Classic Dry Gin uses the classic botanical of juniper with a local twist, as well as dried orange peel, coriander, star anise, orris root, cardamom and cassia bark. When you buy a bottle of Cape Town Gin & Spirits Company Classic Gin and raise a glass (with tonic and ice, of course) you’re contributing to the unspoken crisis affecting men in the country. Enjoy neat on its own or in a cocktail of your desire, but let it remind you that hard conversations start with you.
For more information on the work of the Men’s Foundation, visit the website at www.mensfoundation.co.za.
- Reach out to your local CANSA Care Centre for health awareness materials and arrange for screening for prostate, colorectal or skin cancer: www.cansa.org.za. If you or someone you love is in danger of harming themselves, the Suicide Helpline offers free 24-hour telephone counselling, crisis intervention, information and referrals nationwide on 0800 567 567 or via SMS 31393.
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