WORLD Mental Health Day in October has come and gone. Awareness campaigns revealed one escalating problem – teenage suicide – and its gripping hold on modern society.

The SA Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) stressed that the prevalence of teen suicide should not be a secret.

“There are many reasons why a teen may feel like they want to end their life. Depression is the leading cause of suicide. It makes them feel hopeless and helpless, and they often see no reason to live.

“Other factors may include substance abuse, bullying at school and domestic abuse. At their age, they have many emotional ups and downs, and being depressed is not a sign of weakness.”

SADAG warns that four or more of the following signs, if lasting longer than two weeks, may be an indication of depression:

• feeling guilty
• no confidence
• losing interest in one’s hobbies, opting to be alone
• feeling restless or tired
• using drugs/alcohol on a regular basis
• thinking about death / thoughts of suicide
• increased/decreased appetite
• trouble sleeping
• trouble concentrating at school

Also read: Suicide prevention: ‘Reach out for help,’ says SADAG

Dr Sebolelo Seape, psychiatrist and chairperson of the Psychiatry Management Group (PsychMG), concurred, “Almost one in ten teenage deaths in South Africa every year are the result of suicide. Up to 20% of high school learners have tried to take their own lives. However, suicides rarely happen without warning, and learning and recognising these signals is the most effective way to prevent suicide.

“With teenagers and young adults, the focus of World Mental Health Day on October 10 this year was that the prevention of teen suicides starts with a better understanding of the symptoms of depression. Most people with depression are not suicidal, but most suicidal people are depressed.”

He added that a survey found that a quarter of Grade Eight to 11 learners across all of South Africa’s provinces had felt so sad or hopeless that they couldn’t engage in their usual daily activities for two weeks or more. More than one in six had either thought about suicide, made plans to commit suicide or attempted it at least once in the past six months.

“This suggests a large proportion of teenagers are suffering from mental and emotional health problems. The youth are the future of our country, and we need to act to prevent the devastating consequences of them losing their hope for the future,” he concluded.

It is advised that when talking to an adolescent at risk of suicide, you ask direct questions about thoughts of suicide. Also, try to understand their perspective without judgement.

Contact the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 0800 567 567 or WhatsApp chatline at 076 882 2775 or SMS 31393.

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