Suicide claims lives of teenagers
RUIMSIG — Teenage suicide has become a worry in society.
The recent incident of suicide at the Northgate Shopping Centre has left many questions.
Klara Göttert who took her life on 11 August, has highlighted the level of suicide cases among teenagers.
The 14-year-old pupil from the German school in Parktown went missing on 11 August and her body was found on the same day by the police at the Nothgate Shopping Centre.
Last month, Linden’s Louw Geldenhuys Primary school Grade 6 pupil Anneke Mostert (12) allegedly shot herself after children called her ugly and fat.
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) reported that one in four South African teenagers have attempted suicide.
Mari Lautenbach, psychologist at Maragon Private Schools in Ruimsig, said what has happened is unusual among women.
“Females do not usually commit suicide by jumping off buildings or shooting themselves,” she said.
However, she has informed that in order to prevent teen suicide, it is vital to recognise it and treat the cause.
“Teen suicide is a very real issue in South Africa. It is not caused by one single factor, but likely by a combination of different factors.
Usually, pupils get bullied at school and when they go back at home they still get SMSs and they do not know how to handle it,” she said.
Lautenbach also said she has a workshop called Resilience in Children.
“Normally, when children are bullied they don’t know what to do, and I just believe that prevention is better than cure, kids should start being educated now,” she said.
Meryl Da Costa from Sadag also said parents are often unaware of the feelings of their children.
“Parents can not seem to find reasons to explain their child’s psychological or behavioural changes.
Since all of us have experienced repeated frustrations and disappointments that can provide us with reasons to our children as well.
However, we should be suspicious of our logic,” said Da Costa.
Sadag shares warning signals for parents
• Inexplicable decrease in academic performance
• Increasing social isolation
• Loss of interest in sports
• Development of unusual physical complaints for no medically sound reason
• Increased childish and dependent behaviour
• Becoming excessively demanding.
Suicide crisis line: 080 056 7567
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