GDE and Department of Health tackle suicides among learners

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has outlined steps to address the high rate of learner suicides in the province and safeguard learner wellbeing.

The Gauteng education sector has seen several tragic and premature deaths of learners and staff members who ended their lives.

Statistics show there were 40 alleged suicides in Gauteng schools since the start of this academic year.

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“We pledge solidarity and support to the families and friends befallen by these tragic and premature deaths,” said GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona.

The most recent incident was on September 8, when an 11-year-old Grade Five girl from Brakpan took her life after reportedly facing parental reprimand for stealing R300.

“This deeply distressing event is a stark reminder of the importance of addressing sensitive issues with children and providing them with the necessary support and guidance during difficult times.”

Suicide is a bleak reality and a leading cause of death among young people.

Learners face various problems that leave them feeling vulnerable, hopeless, and overwhelmed.

Anxiety, depression, bullying, online abuse, violence, and cyberbullying contribute to learner suicides.

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With the development and expansion of digital technologies, learners increasingly fall victim to online abuse and violence.

“These digital spaces become enabling environments for online predators to exploit vulnerable and unsuspecting users, especially children.

“Information at our disposal indicates that all in all, there were no less than 300 learner deaths reported to the GDE, including the 40 alleged suicides, since the start of the year,” said Mabona.

“The department is aware that the deaths had a massive psychological impact on learners, teachers and the greater schooling community.

“It is, therefore, imperative that, in the immediate, we provide support to those affected and, in the long term, respond with lasting solutions which can help turn the situation around,” he added.

September 10 marked World Suicide Prevention Day, a global event organised by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“We feel such a day is important to outline measures it seeks to address the scourge of learner suicides in the province.

“Reducing stigma, breaking taboos, and supporting struggling learners are vital first steps for talking about suicide.

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“Ongoing support, building resilience, promoting meaningful social connections, creating safe spaces in schools, encouraging disclosure, and facilitating referral for further professional support are mechanisms that could be implemented to help learners take proactive steps for their mental wellness.

“Suicide prevention and self-harm education, increased awareness of protective factors, streamlined support systems and access to services and resources could decrease the likelihood of learner suicides in schools.

“Before announcing any new measures to help us strengthen our efforts of reducing learner/teacher deaths, particularly suicides, it is important we undertake a proper analysis to deal with the root causes of such actions,” said Mabona.

He added that to assist in that regard, the department had reached out to the Gauteng Department of Health to do a mortality analysis on cases of suicide to understand the causes and drivers of these incidents.

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“The department and its partners have already embarked on several interventions.

“These interventions include deploying 500 learner support agents (LSAs) to provide us with an early warning mechanism and give peer counselling to support 1 200 schools, sending an additional 120 social workers to assist with risk assessment of learners and deploying 500 Ke Moja coaches to assist with substance abuse awareness,” he said.

Mabona said popularising the Childline toll-free number (116) to provide counselling services for free for learners and teachers was one of their interventions.