Following the death of an Edenvale High School learner, the NEWS met with representatives of the school’s counselling department to learn more about what programmes and initiatives it has in place to assist with the mental health of learners.
School principal Dr Larry Harmer described the learner as a bubbly girl. The school held a memorial service for the learner, her family and friends on April 23.
On April 16 the NEWS’ sister publication, Boksburg Advertiser, reported that a 15-year-old female learner died after allegedly jumping from the Boksburg Civic Centre building in the Boksburg CBD.
“Boksburg SAPS spokesperson Sgt Ntsako Ledwaba confirmed they received a call from the scene alleging a young girl had jumped from the municipal building,” read the article. At the time of her death, police said the circumstances leading up to the learner’s fall were not yet known. “At Edenvale High, the counselling department works hand in hand with management and teaching staff,” said Josephine Padarath, who is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and a member of the schools counselling department.
She said the learners will seek support themselves or be referred for counselling by their parents, peers or teachers. Padarath explained that most learners at Edenvale High are willing to talk about and address issues about mental health.
“With so much content on social media platforms and other sources, I think learners are realising the need to address mental health issues in their lives and the lives of their loved ones.”
Padarath believes learners have less of a stigma about mental health and once they seek assistance, they realise they are in a safe and non-judgemental environment.
In light of lockdown, the school sought to assist its learners by spending time with each grade when they returned to school last year.
“Because of what the learners went through, they were offered an opportunity to speak about their experiences, what they endured and how they coped with the lockdown,” said Padarath.
She said learners were taught breathing and meditation techniques and were debriefed on what they went through. Additionally, teachers and staff also underwent a workshop explaining what they need to be aware of and look out for. Padarath explained that the workshop forms part of the staff’s annual training to ensure there is a strong support structure at the school and for the learners.
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Another initiative the school has is its Big Buddy programme. Paradath explained that Grade Eight learners who are diagnosed with anxiety and other disorders are appointed a Grade 11 “big buddy” to help them integrate into Edenvale High. The programme, which is similar to that of a mentorship programme, helps ease new learners into the school with the help of fellow learners.
Designated head of counselling at Edenvale High Kerry Hartel said with the school’s 2021 Grade Eights, the counselling department decided to try a new approach and worked with the sports department.
“Informally the counsellors spoke to the learners about mental health, after which the sports department made the learners do a series of challenging physical activities and participate in a debate,” said Hartel.
She explained this was done not only to raise the learners’ stress levels slightly and see how they would come under pressure but to also create a relationship between the learners and counsellors.
Hartel said looking forward, the school’s life orientation department has decided to bring its curriculum about mental health forward. She said the school also plans on having a presentation with representatives and material from the South African Depression and Anxiety Group. Hartel and Padarath said when it comes to the mental health of a learner, multiple factors could contribute to a decline.
Padarath encouraged parents to reach out to their children if they notice something is wrong. “Often a when a child starts feeling invisible, they start making themselves invisible,” said Hartel.
“As parents, caregivers and guardians, we must take mental health seriously and not brush things away.” Although Padarath believes the stigma about mental health among children and learners is changing, she believes parents and the older generation need to know when they must ask for help and do research.
Edenvale High learners in need of assistance and support are encouraged to contact the school’s counselling department.
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