Anxiety and depression among the youth is an acute crisis

Depression is defined as an illness when the feelings of depression persist and interfere with a child or adolescent’s ability to function and in worst cases result in suicide.

About 5% of children and adolescents in the general population suffer from depression at any given point in time. Children under stress, those who experienced extreme loss, those who have attention problems or are suffering from learning and exam stress or other anxiety disorders are at a higher risk for depression. Depression also tends to run in families.

 
The behaviour of depressed children and teenagers may differ from the behaviour of depressed adults. Child and adolescent psychiatrists advise parents to be aware of signs of depression in their youngsters.

 
According to The South African Depression and Anxiety Group, a suicide occurs every 40 seconds and an attempt is made every three seconds. In South Africa, hanging is the most frequently employed method of suicide, followed by shooting, gassing and burning.

 
Risk factors for suicide among the young include the presence of mental illness – especially depression, conduct disorder, alcohol and drug abuse, previous suicide attempts and the availability of firearms in the home. In South Africa 60% of people who commit suicide are depressed and the recorded average of suicide incidents is 17,2 per 100 000 (8% of all deaths). Around 9,5% of all non-natural deaths among the youth are due to suicide. This relates only to deaths reported by academic hospitals. The real figure could be factually higher. In young people, most suicides occur in the 15-19 age group, followed by the 10-14 year age group.

 
HERAUT approached Nigel pastoral counsellor Nardie Moller on the topic of suicide among teenagers. He has been actively involved with the youth at Hoërskool John Vorster for several years and highlighted some of the danger signs to be on the look out for:
* Previous suicide attempts: between 20 % and 50% of teenagers who kill themselves have previously attempted suicide. Those who make serious suicide attempts are at much greater risk of actually taking their lives.
* Talking about death or suicide: teenagers who commit suicide often talk about it directly or indirectly before the time. Be alert to such statements as “My family would be better off without me”. Sometimes those contemplating suicide talk as if they are saying goodbye or going away. Teenagers would also often visit friends to finally ‘bid them farewell’.
* Bullying is a hideous injustice to others and in most cases it leads to suicide;
* Depression: although most depressed teens are not suicidal, most suicidal people are depressed. Serious depression can be manifested in obvious sadness, but often it is expressed instead as a loss of pleasure or withdrawal from activities that had once been enjoyable.

 
Be concerned about depressed persons if at least five of the following symptoms have been present nearly every day for at least two weeks: depressed mood, change in sleeping patterns, change in appetite or weight, speaking or moving with unusual speed or slowness, fatigue or loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness, self-reproach or guilt and thoughts of death or suicide.
Additional factors that point to an increased risk for suicide in depressed individuals are: extreme anxiety, agitation or enraged behaviour, excessive drug or alcohol abuse, history of physical or emotional illness and feelings of hopelessness or desperation.

 
Continuous help and support are always at hand. To find a support group in your area, phone SADAG on 0800 21 22 23. Here are some important numbers to know:
Suicide Crisis Line – 0800 567 567 or SMS 31393
SADAG Mental Health Line – 011 234 4837
Police – 10111
Destiny Helpline for Youth and Students – 0800 41 42 43
Department of Social Development Substance Abuse Line (24hr helpline) – 0800 12 13 14 or SMS 32312
Lifeline – 011 728 1331.

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