Almost 7,500 SA children tried to take their own lives in nine months

Close to 7,500 children under the age of 18 attempted to take their own lives in nine months last year.

The basic education department launched Suicide Prevention Week on Monday.

It comes on the back of the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) warning there is still a lot of stigma and fear around the issue.

Psychologists say many parents and teachers are afraid that if they talk about suicide to teens it could cause them to take their life.

Basic education department spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said suicide remains a global public health challenge, with South Africa no exception.

Health department data indicated about 7,426 children under the age of 18 were treated after attempts to take their own lives from April to December.

“This concerning data highlights the need for comprehensive and co-ordinated efforts to address mental health challenges and prevent suicide among young people,” he said.

“This year’s theme for Teen Suicide Prevention Week is 'Your Feelings Matter, Let's Talk', emphasising the importance of recognising and acknowledging young people’s feelings, encouraging them to open up and seek help when needed.

“This week serves as a platform to empower young people with the knowledge and necessary skills to cope with emotional distress,” Mhlanga said.

Basic education department director of psychosocial support Sibongile Monareng urged pupils to “treat each other with kindness and to consider how their behaviour might affect others”.

“We also urge parents and other adults to create psychologically safe homes and spaces where children can experience peace, support and acceptance,” Monareng said.

“By creating safe spaces for dialogue, we can help dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health and promote positive help-seeking behaviour among young people.”

Last year South Africa was rocked by several incidents in which teenagers took their own lives, including four pupils from Eqinisweni Secondary School in Ivory Park in Midrand allegedly ending their lives by drinking poison between April 26 and May 5.

In a separate incident late last year, a grade 12 pupil from Kgabo Secondary School in Ga-Mokgokong, near Polokwane in Limpopo, allegedly took his own life because of bullying he endured at school. His younger sister said he left behind a letter that detailed the emotional and psychological abuse he allegedly suffered at the hands of his teachers.

Sadag regards teen suicide as “a needless tragedy, yet stigma and silence often prevent those in need from reaching out for help”.

“By encouraging open conversations we can show teens their feelings are valid, they are not alone and support is always available,” said Sadag board vice-chair and clinical psychologist Zamo Mbele.

“There is still a lot of stigma and fear around suicide. Many parents and teachers are afraid that if they talk about Suicide to teens it could cause them to take their life.

By encouraging open conversations we can show teens their feelings are valid, they are not alone and support is always available

—  Zamo Mbele, Sadag board vice-chair and clinical psychologist

“Research shows talking about suicide with a young person does not cause them to have thoughts of suicide, or create a desire to end their lives. The danger comes from not talking about it, which can lead to thoughts about suicide turning into actions,” Mbele said.

According to the World Health Organisation, suicide is one of the top five leading causes of death among 15 to 19-year-olds.

Sadag has urged schools and communities to focus on creating safe, supportive environments where teens feel heard and understood.

“I felt like no-one understood what I was going through. Talking to someone who really listened helped me see that I wasn’t alone and my feelings mattered,” said a 17-year-old pupil.

“Talking about hard topics such as suicide helps create open conversation, foster safe spaces for young people to talk openly about their struggles and identify warning signs to get help.

“As parents, caregivers, teachers and communities we need to talk more about the issues and normalise that it’s OK to reach out for help,” said Sadag operations director Cassey Chambers.

Psychiatrist and psychologist Dr Frans Korb said by encouraging open conversations, providing accessible support networks and promoting early intervention, “we can make significant strides in saving lives and safeguarding the wellbeing of our youth”.

KEY SIGNS OF DEPRESSION:

• loss of interest in things you like to do;
• sadness that won’t go away;
• irritability or feeling angry a lot;
• feeling guilty or hopeless;
• not enjoying things you once liked;
• crying a lot;
• spending a lot of time alone;
• eating too much or too little;
• sleeping too much or too little;
• having low energy or restless feelings; and
• thinking of dying or killing yourself.

Contact Sadag’s toll-free 24-hour helplines, which provide free telephone counselling, support and referrals, and are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day: 0800-567-567 or 0800-456-789 or 0800-1213-14, or SMS 31393, and a counsellor will call you back.