Suicide remains to be a universal challenge – the World Health Organisation estimates that over 800 000 people take their own life each year.
According to the South Africa Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag), in the country there are 23 suicides recorded each day and a further 20 attempted suicides for every one suicide. With this in mind, the group would like to urge all South Africans to work together to prevent suicide this month and beyond.
“If more people are aware about the warning signs of suicide and know how to get someone help before it’s too late, we can help reduce the high number of suicides in South Africa every day,” said the group in a statement.
To help encourage the conversation in schools and among families this Suicide Prevention Month, the Sadag hosted a panel discussion on 17 September for teachers and parents on why suicide should not be a secret. Panellists included clinical psychologist Zamo Mbele and general practitioner Dr Sindi van Zyl, both of whom are Sadag board members and active members in the mental health community.
Van Zyl established that the most important role of any parent, teacher or educator is to actually start a conversation about mental health. By doing this, they can create an encouraging environment for the youth that makes them want to talk about how they are feeling.
She was personally diagnosed with depression in 2013 which is why mental health continues to be an important fight for her. “Now that I have had therapy, when I look back at my depression, I can actually trace it back to my Form 4 year [Grade 10] in Zimbabwe,” said van Zyl.
As a result of the slight drop in her academic performance she was demoted to a second-tier class. Later that year, Van Zyl also experienced her first heartbreak and because this was all happening at the same time, it affected her self-esteem tremendously to a point where she started feeling depressed.
“When I look back at it now, I wished that someone noticed that I was feeling this way and asking why was I performing so badly at school. Because learners are so ashamed of what they are feeling they won’t talk to anyone and all it takes is for a teacher or a parent to ask that caring question of ‘how are you feeling?’” she said.
She added that teen depression may also not be as easy to detect because it might present itself as a behavioural disorder. “A child may be acting out; they may even have erratic mood swings and that may not necessarily be because they are behaving badly – they may be depressed.”
According to Mbele, who has shifted from working with adults to adolescents in the last decade, one in four children is likely to experience feelings of loneliness or sadness. “With children it is important to understand that their decisions and actions are based on the reward, whereas with adults, decisions are driven by consequence.”
This means that a lot of young people do not quite understand the consequences of a suicide attempt. “They do not necessarily understand that this particular action may result in the absolute end of their life and that might be a very difficult but important thing to speak about,” Mbele said.
Teaching them what suicide actually means and the consequence of it all may also help deter them from making that decision. This is why starting a conversation and remaining observant is really important.
Are you thinking about hurting yourself? Call the Sadag toll-free line on 0800 567 567 or SMS 31393.
Did you know?
According to the Sadag, 75 per cent of people who commit suicide give some warning.
These may be the possible warning signs of suicide:
- Taking about ending their life, dying or suicide; or a previous suicide attempt
- Talking about suicide recently or making a plan
- Strong wish to die or a preoccupation with death and dying
- Signs of depression – moodiness, hopelessness, withdrawal, difficulty with appetite and sleep, and loss of interest in usual activities
- Increased alcohol and/or drug use
- Hinting about not being around in the future or saying goodbye – including goodbye messages on social media, Whatsapp or SMS
- Drastic behavioural changes
- Making arrangements to take care of unfinished business
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