Stressed students turn to suicide

26 April 2016 - 02:43 By Aarti J Narsee

Stressed university students are turning to suicide as a way out.Suicide is such a concern that the University of Cape Town is setting up a mental health team to work with the SA Depression and Anxiety Group.Last year 18 cases of attempted suicide were reported at UCT. This year two students died after jumping from their residences.The Durban University of Technology said a student leapt to his death after being refused funding.The University of Stellenbosch would not divulge the number of suicides for "ethical reasons".But Louis Vlok, head of the Crisis Service at the university, said: "About 10 students a year [are hospitalised] due to serious suicidal intent."Wits University was unable to provide suicide statistics.Students often use social media to vent their suicidal thoughts. A student under severe financial and academic pressure said: "So my question: Do I just commit suicide and save myself the trouble? How can I face the embarrassment and the money?"A rape victim posted: "I am severely suicidal and I have even told the comrades that I have attempted suicide.""I feel so sad. What saddens me is that I am stuck studying a degree that I do not particularly enjoy.I have a family that is dependent on me to graduate, make money and get us out of the poverty that we have lived through for so many years," another student posted...

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