Suicide Prevention Day 2020 KZN walk goes virtual

SOUTH Africa’s suicide rate is alarming. 

According to SADAG (South African Depression and Anxiety Group) an average of 23 suicides are reported every day, and the average of suicide attempts made is 10 times that at 230.

“September is a very important month on the Mental Health Calendar,” said Lynn Norton, speaking from the KZN office of the NGO which assists people suffering from mental illness. 

“10 September marks World Suicide Prevention Day, a cause which is very close to our hearts – in South Africa there are 23 suicides a day recorded and 230 serious attempts. In support of this important and necessary initiative the Survivors of Loved Ones of Suicide (SOLOS) group will be hosting a virtual walk on Thursday, 10 September  to honour, celebrate, remember and pay tribute to those lost to suicide,” said Norton.

The walk, usually held on the closest Sunday to 10 September, was organised 13 years ago by Joy Chiang, who runs SOLOS, a support organisation not only for survivors of suicide but for anyone whose life has been touched by suicide.

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This year  SOLOS and the International Association for Suicide Prevention is asking people to light a candle and place it at a window at 8pm on Thursday, 10 September to indicate support for suicide prevention.

“SOLOS also encourages you to complete your own walk, write a message on a pebble and then release it into the ocean to remember a lost loved one and for the survivors of suicide,” said Norton.

SADAG has created the Online Wall of Remembrance to give families and loved ones a safe space to honour, celebrate, remember and pay tribute those lost to suicide, which will be up on its website. 

“You will be able to submit your special message, a picture of your loved one or meaningful quote, or even a picture of how you remember your loved one each year via a ‘special button’ on the SADAG website, and we will upload all the submissions to the website page,” explained Norton. 

If you are worried about a friend or loved one who is struggling to cope and experiencing suicidal ideation please call 0800 456 789, sms 31393 or visit https://t.co/SCjQZMXZSa. You are not alone. There is always help!

— SADAG (@TheSADAG) June 15, 2019

“Most of all we hope to plant seeds of compassion in the hearts of those who read the names: seeds that may develop into a commitment to understanding suicide and finding ways to reach out and get help,” she added explaining that the walk each year is supposed to offer a way for friends and family to express their love, special memories and celebrate the lives of the ones you have lost.

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“Please encourage anyone who may have lost a loved one to suicide to visit the page and share. All links will be shared with you on Thursday, 10 September 2020,” said Norton.  

Community Forum Webinar via Zoom

SADAG KZN will host its next Community Forum Webinar, titled Suicide: A Fierce Goodbye, Let’s Talk About It!

The webinar will be hosted by the SOLOS Support Group with special guest Dr Sarojini Naidoo, Psychologist and Lecturer at the University of Johannesburg.

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It takes place on  Friday, 18 September 2020 from 1pm to 2:15pm on Zoom.  In order to book your place, visit follow the link. (https://bit.ly/SuicideWebinarSADAG)  to RSVP before Wednesday, 16 September. 

“All webinar login information will be sent to registered attendees ahead of time,” said Norton.

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting