At least 10 per cent of all non-natural deaths in adults and 9.5 per cent in youth in South Africa are due to suicide.
This is according to Meryl Da Costa of the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag), which is SA’s largest mental health NGO.
“Globally, according to the WHO, suicide is the second-leading cause of death among 15- to 29-year-olds, with one person committing suicide every 40 seconds. For every person that dies by suicide, between 10 and 20 people attempt it.”
She says according to Prof Lourens Schlebusch, there are at least 23 suicides a day in South Africa, which may be underestimated due to the stigma involved in suicide.
“However, data on suicides and other unintentional injury deaths are not systematically tracked by any agency in the country, making accurate statistics hard to come by.
“Suicide is a preventable tragedy and with appropriate help, treatment, and support, lives can be saved.
“It is important to raise awareness of the magnitude and scope of the problem, increasing psycho-social support and providing free counselling to those in need of help, and implementing grassroots suicide prevention strategies.”
* Teen suicide prevention
Despite the increasingly concerning rate of teen depression and suicide, one in four South African teens have attempted suicide, and one in three hospital admissions for suicide involve youth; most schools don’t have counsellors or psycho-social support systems in place.
Sadag in reaction initiated a school-based suicide prevention programme to empower youth to identify symptoms of depression and warning signs of suicide in themselves, their peers and loved ones; where to go in their communities for assistance, and how to contact Sadag.
Sadag also trains teachers because giving power and advice to first-line responders helps them cope in a suicide crises.
* Counselling containers in townships
There are many communities in South Africa that lack any access to mental healthcare. Container counselling units can help entire communities and provide easy access, education, support and save costs.
A counselling container costs R600 000 per year to run, which includes providing the counsellors, phones, brochures and materials, talks and support to the members of the community.
* Suicide crisis lines
Sadag has been operating the national suicide prevention crisis lines (0800 567 567) for over 12 years. Sadag says the line needs to be available 24 hours a day, but without funding, this is simply not possible.
“Many people think that depression is a ‘female’ issue, but statistics show that there are at least four male suicides for every one female suicide.
“Suicide is a critical issue in South Africa but it can be reduced and prevented. There is treatment for depression and other mental health issues,” says Da Costa.
“Sadag not only runs a 15-line toll-free counselling and referral centre but also offers community outreach, education and counselling to under-resourced communities, in schools and in corporations.
“In addition, Sadag works with the South African government and medical aid schemes to increase political commitment and funding for mental healthcare and ensure that sufferers are treated equally.”
Sadag may be contacted on 0800 21 22 23, 0800 12 13 14 or www.sadag.org. – @CarmenBoksburg
