SADAG focuses on teen suicide prevention

As the Covid-19 pandemic has worsened across the globe and increased stressors for many, the mental health of children and teens has been affected to a large extent.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death in 15 to 19-year-olds, according to the World Health Organisation.

The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) wants to focus on creating awareness for teen depression and suicide as South African teens are at a particularly high risk since the mental health impact of Covid-19 has been immense.

South African teens navigate a new world of online learning or delayed learning, social isolation, loss, grief and trauma, with increased anxiety and depression.

“There is a myth that depression or suicide doesn’t affect teens or children it is very real and affects more young people than we know, with teens being a particularly high risk for suicide. Depression is the leading cause of suicide. It doesn’t discriminate against age, gender, race, religion or socio-economic background,” said psychiatrist and SADAG board chairperson Dr Frans Korb.

SADAG has seen an increase in the number of calls to suicide helplines and encourages parents, teachers and family members to know the warning signs of depression to reach out for help as soon as possible.

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Now more than ever, parents need to connect and engage with their children, ask questions, listen carefully to understand, get to know what is happening in their teens’ lives and what they are feeling and thinking, connecting to help if you pick up any warning signs for depression or suicide before it is too late, it could save a life.

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.

“Research shows that talking about suicide with a young person does not cause them to have thoughts of suicide. But, not talking about it can lead to thoughts of suicide turning into action,” said SADAG’s operations director Cassey Chambers.

“Talking about suicide and depression creates an opportunity to discuss feelings and thoughts that might have otherwise remain hidden. “Most teens who are thinking about suicide are often honest and relieved when asked direct questions about their suicidal thoughts or feelings,” she said.

SADAG will host two free online connect webinars for teachers and parents on February 24 and February 25.
Teachers can join on February 24 at 3.30pm and parents can attend on February 25 at 1pm.

The webinars aim to give teachers and parents access to experts who will unpack how to identify warning signs of teen depression and suicide at home and in the classroom.

The events will also offer self-help tips to deal with depression, discuss how to talk about suicide with a teen, developing a suicide safety plan, and how to connect to help.

Visit www.sadag.org for more details about these free connect webinars and RSVP for your free seat.
SADAG runs the country’s only Suicide Crisis Helpline (0800 567 567) which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, SMS 31393 and a counsellor will call back, or visit the online toolkit for teen suicide prevention on www.sadag.org.

Possible warning signs of suicide include:

• Talking about suicide or death, could be writing or drawing about death and dying, or posting pictures, quotes or messages on social media.
• Writing or sending goodbye letters or messages or posting goodbye messages on social media.
• Saying things like “everyone would be better off if I was dead” or “I wish I wasn’t here anymore” or “I don’t want to be here anymore”.
• Giving away prized possessions.
• Signs of depression such as moodiness, hopelessness, withdrawal, drastic change in appetite and sleep, and loss of interest in usual activities.
• Increased alcohol and/or other drug use.
• Behavioural changes and taking excessive risks.

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