Modern life is stressful and despite South African teens seeming casual about it, they are not going unscathed. When they cannot cope, they easily resort to suicide. According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), teenagers are the most at-risk age group for suicide.
Suicide prevention
Yesterday saw the commemoration of World Suicide Prevention Day and this day is important in creating awareness, considering that a 2011 survey estimated that 17,8 per cent of high school pupils have attempted to take their own lives. “Take every suicide mention, threat and attempt seriously. People who have attempted suicide before, if left untreated and unmanaged, are at greater risk of attempting or completing a suicide,” warns SADAG’s Operations Director Cassey Chambers. Since teens are the most at-risk age group for suicide, here’s what you need to know about helping a depressed teenager. Suicide stems from depression that is not dealt with.
Be of help
Unlike adults who know where to find a psychiatrist, teenagers need to take their problem to someone who can assist them in finding help. It takes courage for them to be brave enough to approach you about their problems. As a parent, you can do your part to help your depressed teen.
- Communicate with your child, talk to them, be involved in their everyday life in a natural manner that doesn’t threaten them.
- Listen without judging
- Acknowledge and take care not to minimise your teenager’s experiences or feelings
- Do not shy away from talking about suicide and asking your teenager if he has ever had thoughts about it
Teen depression warning signs
While you do your best in supporting your child, you need to be aware of any of these warning signs:
- Teenagers at risk are those who don’t seem to “bounce back” after a difficult day or situation
- Serious and pervasive personality changes
- Mood and behavioural changes; these changes affect functioning on all spheres on a daily basis
- Regular and extreme social isolation or withdrawal, from everyone or only from some people
- Irritability and anger
- Unexplained aches and pains
- Extreme sensitivity to criticism
- Changes in eating and sleeping patterns
- Loss of interest in activities that used to be enjoyed
A teenager who should be closely monitored is one who
- Starts giving away personal possessions
- Makes death-related or suicidal comments
- Romanticises death
- Engages in reckless behaviour
- Creates paintings and poems that depict death
- Listens to songs with lyrics about death and suicide
#ACT before it’s too late
In their campaigns SADAG want parents, loved ones and teachers to know how to #ACT when it comes to preventing teen suicide. #ACT stands for ask, care and treat. It is a call to encourage early intervention when someone is depressed and may be at risk of suicide.
- Ask – Ask directly: “Are you experiencing suicidal thoughts?”, “Have you ever thought of hurting yourself”, “Have you ever felt like you don’t want to live anymore?”
- Care –Listen without judgement. Show that you care.
- Treat –Get your child or friend immediate assistance, be it a trusted adult, teacher or mental health professional (a psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker) for treatment. Alternatively, call SADAG on 0800 456 789.
