Depression is an insidious condition with the capacity to drive its sufferers to suicide or to commit acts of violence.

Depression is an insidious condition with the capacity to drive its sufferers to suicide or to commit acts of violence.

Mostly afflicting men, the condition cannot easily be detected because those suffering from it treat it as a personal matter and are therefore unlikely to divulge it to family and friends, according to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag).

This group has surely hit the nail on the head with its findings that local men are five times more likely to commit suicide than women.

The current socioeconomic situation has placed scores of men under pressure.

They are under immense stress and suffer emotional pain in fending for their families.

Commensurately, they feel emasculated over their perceived failure to play their roles as heads of their families.

Major causes that have since reduced men into mundane figures in their homes include unemployment and a litany of maladies such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

These conditions have driven some men to desperation - and led to them killing their families and themselves.

The findings of the Sadag should be taken seriously.

Men in despair should utilise the services of counsellors and psychologists in their respective areas.

Depressed people can save themselves from taking their own lives once informed that help exists around the corner.