BY Nkosazana Ngwadla
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) raises awareness on teen suicide as February 12–19, 2023, marks Teen Suicide Prevention Week to assist families in doing a mental health “check in” with teenagers.
Following a string of teen suicide reports across the country, the organization says it is pivotal to confront this maturing challenge.
SADAG is focusing on creating awareness that teen depression and suicide is a particular high risk in South African teens as the mental health impact of COVID19 has been immense, especially as they navigate a new world of online learning or delayed learning, social isolation, loss, grief and trauma, with increased anxiety and depression.
Psychiatrist and SADAG Board Chairperson, Dr Frans Korb, says “There is a myth that depression or suicide doesn’t affect teens or children, in fact it is very real and affects more young people than we know, with teens being a particular high risk for suicide. Depression is the leading cause of suicide, it doesn’t discriminate against age, gender, race, religion or socio-economic background.”
Social media has been flooded with the news of teenagers who have committed suicide, and those who have tried, as a result of bullying in recent years. This has sparked the uprising of many parents, teachers and even public figures to speak out against bullying and help raise awareness on this issue.
One such public figure is TV and radio personality, Hulisani Ravele. Hulisani spent a day at SADAG’s call center to support the team and used her platform to help raise awareness. “Check-in on a teen in your life and ask them how they are REALLY doing. 💛,” she wrote on Instagram.
There is still a lot of stigma and fear around suicide, and many parents and teachers are afraid that if they talk about suicide to teens that it would cause them to take their life. SADAG’s Operations Director, Cassey Chambers explains:
“Research shows that talking about suicide with a young person DOES NOT cause them to have thoughts of suicide or kill themselves. But NOT talking about it can lead to thoughts of suicide turning into actions. Talking about suicide and depression create an opportunity to discuss feelings and thoughts that might have otherwise remain hidden. Most teens who are thinking about suicide are actually honest and relieved when asked direct questions about their suicide thoughts or feelings.”
