PARTY toremember

Max’s Lifestyle Village in Umlazi is set to rock once again. In January partygoers flocked to Max’s Lifestyle’s All White Party in collaboration with Durban Tourism to hear the likes of Scorpion Kings, Somizi, DJ Tira and many others, which was a raving success and enjoyed by many.

In February, Max’s Lifestyle is adjusting the vibe for Valentine’s Day.

Our next big event on February 14 will be our first Valentine movie night on our big screen, as well as a performance from local talent to set the mood for all those in love. So bring your loved one and share this romantic time with them. Bookings essential. Look out on our social media for information on upcoming events such as the Durban July,

All Black, etc. And don’t forget Max’s Lifestyle offers an all-inone venue for conferences and special events.

Growing up in the 80s, I very seldom heard the terms psychologist, depression, anxiety, fear or any other narratives relating to mental challenges or well-being. And if you experienced any of the above, you would simply keep quiet. It was drilled into us as young adolescents that to show emotion – or heaven forbid cry – was the epitome of weakness, and was an indication that you lacked a strong and brave character.

Many boys – though certainly not all – still have trouble talking about emotions and feelings because social norms have encouraged them to conform to a masculine ideal that emphasises values like stoicism, toughness, and competitiveness. This – along with strong cultural taboos as mentioned above – continues to place the mental well-being of boys at risk. In addition, the Covid pandemic prevented boys from interacting socially, created financial pressures within families, and led to an even greater addiction to electronic devices, gaming and social media platforms. All factors that would perpetuate any underlying mental health issues.

In our own educational space, we have seen a sharp rise in the number of boys requiring counselling and support. Many of the boys report that it took them a very long time to seek help, as they felt they would be showing weakness if they reached out