SA suicide rate disturbing

A rate which they have said needs to be addressed urgently. The nation marked World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, with the main aim being creating awareness about this stigma, also to combat this culture of troubled individuals resorting to suicide.

World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the world, especially among the youth. According to the organisation, it is a major problem in high income countries and is an emerging problem in low and middle income countries.

“We get about 400 calls a day of people looking for help. That number of 400 calls a day has increased over the last two years,” said South African Depression and Anxiety Group spokesperson, Cassey Chambers on EWN.

Teen suicide is becoming more common every year in South Africa reveals SADAG. In fact only car accidents and homicide kill more youths between the ages of 15 and 24. In South Africa 9 per cent of all teen deaths are caused by suicide. The fastest growing age is young people under 35, specifically female suicides which peak between 15 to 19 years!

SADAG research shows that although more females attempt suicide, more males succeed. This is due to the more violent nature males select. Girls are more likely to overdose on medication, or take chemicals, whereas boys often find access to firearms or hang themselves. An alarming one million people die from suicide every year in the world which means that one person takes their life every 40 seconds.

Reportedly, the number of people who commit suicide each year exceeds the number of deaths due to homicide and war combined.