Strong ties, stronger men

Male friendships are an essential, but often, overlooked aspect of men's mental health

- Shannon Manuel

FRIENDSHIP IS ONE OF THE CORNERSTONES OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE. If there’s one thing that we learned from the pandemic it’s that individual isolation is no one’s cup of tea, no matter how introverted you are.

When it comes to friendships between men, it’s fair to say that as young children, boys can typically generate and sustain friendships with ease. Shared activities, scheduled playdates, and a lack of awareness surrounding the stereotypical archetype of stoic, masculine friendships allow boys to interact more naturally with each other in their youth. However, the dynamics of male friendships often shift over time, and in the transition to adulthood, many men experience a friendship loss.

Male friendships are a critical component of overall health and happiness for all men. Developing and maintaining male friendships can help lower stress, improve overall health, and strengthen your emotional intelligence.

When discussing male friendships, it’s essential to distinguish between having friends and having healthy, open, and meaningful relationships with those friends. Many men can have acquaintances or people they interact with, but the depth and quality of those relationships can vary greatly.

‘Healthy male friendships are an integral part of men’s mental health because they are an extension of love, support, belonging and meaningful companionship,’ says Anele Siswana, a registered Clinical Psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and the founder and director of Indigo Wellness & Consulting Services.