Skip to content
Try NEW Dove Body Wash
Find Dove Near You
Join The Dove Family
dove logo
  • See All

    • BROWSE TYPE
      • Beauty Bar
      • Body Wash
      • See All Bath & Body
    • BROWSE NEED
      • Sensitive Skin
      • Dull Skin
    • Dove Purely Pampering Shea Butter Beauty Cream Bar 90g

      Rebuild your routine for softer, healthier skin.

      Browse Beauty Bar Collections

    • BROWSE TYPE
      • Body Lotion
      • Body Cream
      • See All Skin Care
    • Dove DermaSpa Goodness³

      Give your skin its spring back with Dove DermaSpa Uplifted+

      Introducing Goodness³ from Dove DermaSpa

    • BROWSE TYPE
      • Shampoos
      • Conditioners
      • See All Hair Care
    • BROWSE NEED
      • Dry Hair
      • Fine Hair
      • Weak Hair
      • Colour-treated Hair
      • Damaged Hair
      • Dull Hair
      • Flat Hair
      • Frizzy Hair
    • Dove Advanced Hair Series

      Treat your hair to bespoke care.

      Browse Dove Advanced Hair Series

    • BROWSE TYPE
      • Spray Deodorants
      • Roll-on Deodorants
      • See All Deodorants
    • BROWSE NEED
      • Non-Staining
      • 48-Hour Protection
      • Instantly Dry
    • Dove Go Fresh Cucumber & Green Tea Roll-on Anti-Perspirant Deodorant 50ml

      Don’t sacrifice nourishment for vibrant fragrances.

      Browse Dove Go Fresh

    • BROWSE TYPE
      • Body Face Bar
      • Body Wash
      • Roll On
      • Spray
      • See All Men
    • MEN’S GROOMING TIPS

      Enhance your male grooming routine.

      Explore Men+Care Grooming Tips

    • BROWSE TYPE
      • Bathing
      • Skin Care
      • Hair Care
      • Baby Wipes
      • See All Baby
    • BROWSE COLLECTIONS
      • Rich Moisture
      • Sensitive Moisture
    • More From Baby Dove

      There’s no right or wrong way to be a parent – only your way.

      Explore Baby Dove

    Bath & Body

    • BROWSE TYPE
      • Beauty Bar
      • Body Wash
      • See All Bath & Body
    • BROWSE NEED
      • Sensitive Skin
      • Dull Skin
    • Dove Purely Pampering Shea Butter Beauty Cream Bar 90g

      Rebuild your routine for softer, healthier skin.

      Browse Beauty Bar Collections

    Skin Care

    • BROWSE TYPE
      • Body Lotion
      • Body Cream
      • See All Skin Care
    • How To Get Glowing Skin

      Check out our tips for glowing, moisturised skin.

      A Guide on How To Get Glowing Skin

    Hair Care

    • BROWSE TYPE
      • Shampoos
      • Conditioners
      • See All Hair Care
    • BROWSE NEED
      • Dry Hair
      • Fine Hair
      • Weak Hair
      • Colour-treated Hair
      • Damaged Hair
      • Dull Hair
      • Flat Hair
      • Frizzy Hair
    • Dove Advanced Hair Series

      Treat your hair to bespoke care.

      Browse Dove Advanced Hair Series
    • BROWSE TYPE
      • Spray Deodorants
      • Roll-on Deodorants
      • See All Deodorants
    • BROWSE NEED
      • Non-Staining
      • 48-Hour Protection
      • Instantly Dry
    • Dove Go Fresh Cucumber & Green Tea Roll-on Anti-Perspirant Deodorant 50ml

      Don’t sacrifice nourishment for vibrant fragrances.

      Browse Dove Go Fresh

    Deodorant

    Men

    • BROWSE TYPE
      • Body Face Bar
      • Body Wash
      • Body Cream
      • Roll On
      • Spray
      • See All Men
    • Dove Men+Care

      For men’s skin care products and advice you need.

      Explore Dove Men+Care

    Baby

    • BROWSE TYPE
      • Bathing
      • Skin Care
      • Hair Care
      • Baby Wipes
      • See All Baby
    • BROWSE COLLECTIONS
      • Rich Moisture
      • Sensitive Moisture
    • More From Baby Dove

      There’s no right or wrong way to be a parent – only your way.

      Explore Baby Dove
  • Our Mission

    See All

      • Our mission
      • #NewYearsUnresolution
    • Two women smiling together

      Real and Inspirational Stories

      Beauty Portraits

      • Family, friends & relationships
      • Teasing & bullying
      • Respecting & looking after yourself
      • Media & celebrities
      • Talking about appearance
      • Browse all Parent & mentor resources
    • Dove dsep

      Today’s trends, tomorrow’s cosmetic surgery problems

      Real Virtual Beauty

      • Confident Me – five sessions
      • School workshops on body image
    • Dove dsep

      We believe every young person should grow up feeling confident about their looks.

      Confident Me

      • Teenagers and friendship
      • Self-esteem resources for youth groups
    • Positive body image

      Body confidence helps young people pursue their goals.

      Self-esteem resources for youth groups
      • Our mission
      • #NewYearsUnresolution
    • Two women smiling together

      Real and Inspirational Stories

      Beauty Portraits
      • Family, friends & relationships
      • Teasing & bullying
      • Respecting & looking after yourself
      • Media & celebrities
      • Talking about appearance
      • Browse all Parent & mentor resources
    • Dove dsep

      Today’s trends, tomorrow’s cosmetic surgery problems

      Real Virtual Beauty
      • Confident Me – five sessions
      • School workshops on body image
    • Dove dsep

      We believe every young person should grow up feeling confident about their looks.

      Confident Me
      • Teenagers and friendship
      • Self-esteem resources for youth groups
    • Positive body image

      Body confidence helps young people pursue their goals.

      Self-esteem resources for youth groups
  • Tips & How to

    See All
    • Hair Care Tips
      • How Often to Wash Hair
      • Hair Care Tips
      • 6 Shampoo Myths: Revealed
      • Hair Care Tips
    • Washing and Bathing Tips
      • How Does Dove Beauty Bar Keep Skin Moisturised?
      • Moisturising Bath for Glowing Skin
      • Moisturising Recipe for Amazing Skin
      • Washing and Bathing Tips
    • Dove Men+Care Grooming Tips
      • Why Should Men Use Deodorants?
      • Hair Care Tips for Men
      • How to Stop Shaving Rash
      • Men's Grooming Tips
    • Skin Care Tips
      • How to Build a Skin Care Routine
      • How to Get Glowing Skin
      • Signs of Over Moisturised Skin
      • Skin Care Tips
    • A beautiful woman with curly hair smiling over her shoulder

      Resolve unsightly, uncomfortable dryness.

      How to Keep Your Skin Moisturised All Day
    • 6 things you didn’t know about your conditioner

      Best way to condition hair, once and for all.

      6 things you didn’t know about your conditioner

HAIR CARE TIPS FOR MEN

WHY HOLISTIC SELF-CARE IS IMPORTANT

|
3
min read

PRIORITISING MENTAL HEALTH IN OUR SOCIETY

As the world reels from the upending effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, now more than ever, mental health has taken the spotlight and has been dubbed by experts “the shadow pandemic”. And in a country, such as South Africa, where more men take their lives than women, it’s time to get real.

Mental health in men is often overlooked within society and it needs to be given the same attention as other illnesses that affect most people in our communities. There is a need to educate and create awareness while empowering men in our society to create safe spaces to have mental health conversations.

A report released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) states that the global prevalence of anxiety and depression has increased by a massive 25% since the start of the pandemic.

Further to that, Sapien Labs (790KB PDF) released a study highlighting that SA has one of the lowest mental health scores globally. The rate of distressed or struggling men increased by 8%, moving from 28.5% in 2020 to 36% in 2021.

With this insight, Dove Men+Care has launched a Dove self-care for men range and has partnered with registered Clinical Psychologist, Anele Siswana, to delve deeper into the state, and importance of consciously prioritising mental health and holistic self-care.

According to Anele, prioritising mental health as part of our holistic care means putting your wellness at the forefront and being cognisant of improving one’s self-awareness. A holistic care approach also takes into consideration one’s physical, emotional, social and spiritual well-being.

The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) highlights the following stats:

  • +/- 23 suicides per day in South Africa and for every successful suicide there are at least 20 attempted suicides.
  • Men are four times more likely to die by suicide than women.

“Men are known to shy away from opening up about issues that trouble them due to the social constructs around men’s vulnerability and the idea that men are strong enough to generally cope with everything. What we have failed to understand as a society is that vulnerability, emotions, and psychological pain have no gender. This means men feel and react to emotional pain too,” said Anele Siswana.

 

MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH EXPLAINED

Mental health disorders refer to an array of mental health conditions that affect your behavior; these can also include symptoms such as loss of interest in your daily activities and tasks, low energy, appetite changes, sleep difficulties, being tearful, suicide ideation, anxiety, and stress. Mental health disorders include, but are not limited to anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and schizophrenia.

 

DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS

Mental health disorders can be managed with a combination of medication and therapy. Therapy is often seen as taboo in some communities; however, it is a step in the right direction when you are taking control of your mental and emotional well-being. Using your social support structure such as friends and family can also be a safe space of healing when addressing and prioritising your wellbeing.

Pro-bono services such as Lifeline & SADAG are available and useful resources to help you confront and take control of your mental health. If you or a friend need this support, we urge you to contact them on the details below:

National Counselling Line: 0861 322 322

SADAG: 0800456789

To provide additional support, Dove Men+Care started an initiative at the end of 2021 known as Care Conversations which aims to create a safe space for men to engage in conversations around holistic selfcare. The brand is offering men a platform to share and learn about their different experiences when it comes to holistic wellbeing, including grooming. In 2022, the Dove Men+Care aims to grow this initiative and contribute to building a society where men can be heard. Join the conversation by following:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

TAGS:

  • grooming
  • postpartum mental health
  • self care

EXPLORE MORE

  • How to stop shaving rash
    MEN CARE
    How to stop shaving rash
    Looking for simple, straightforward solutions to men grooming tips? Give your skin the care it deserves with Dove Men+Care grooming advice and products.
  • Hair care tips for men
    MEN CARE
    Hair care tips for men
    The key to nailing hair care for men? Choosing products that work with your hair. Read on to discover the secrets of men’s hair care
  • A handsome man stepping out of the shower after using Men + Care body wash
    MEN CARE
    A GUIDE TO MEN'S BODY WASH ROUTINES
    It's 2023, everyone is getting into skincare - no matter your gender or skin type.
  • A handsome man jogging after using Dove Men + Care to stay fresh and cool
    MEN CARE
    MEN'S SPRAY DEODORANTS VS ROLL-ON DEODORANTS
    Spray deodorants vs roll-on deodorants - the debate of the day for some.
SEE ALL ARTICLES

Stay in Touch

Sign up and be the first to know about exciting offers, product updates and more from Dove and other Unilever brands. For further information, please refer to our Privacy Notice.

SIGN ME UP
Baby Dove
Men+Care
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact us
Site map
Cookie Notice
Privacy Notice
Terms of Use
Disclaimer
Accessibility

FOLLOW US ON

facebook
twitter
instagram
youtube
  • LOCATION

    za South Africa
Dove logo
unilever logo

© 2025 Unilever