South Africa’s young people are facing a deepening mental health crisis. This is according to Elzanné Hlekani, director of campus wellness at Centennial Schools in Sunninghill. She said, in 2022, more than 13% of youth aged 10 to 19 were living with a diagnosed mental disorder, with anxiety and depression accounting for nearly half of these cases.

That same year, suicide claimed more than 46 000 young lives.

Hlekani said, a 2023 report painted an equally troubling picture. While six in ten young South Africans said they needed mental health support, only about two-thirds of them actually sought help. Among those who did not, most said they simply didn’t know where to turn.

Read more: Gauteng Education and SAPS unite to create safer schools

This widening gap between need and knowledge lies at the heart of this year’s World Mental Health Day theme: Access to Services.

For schools, the theme strikes particularly close to home. If children do not know where else to seek help, then schools must become spaces where mental health support is visible, accessible, and trusted.

“Schools are a microcosm of society,” said Hlekani. “They are where our children learn, experiment, succeed, and fail. When we recognise and support their mental health journeys, we give them the foundation to excel, not only in school, but in life.”

The causes of mental health struggles among young people are complex, from uncertainty at home and academic pressure, to the lingering effects of the pandemic and the unrealistic standards perpetuated by social media.

For many students, these pressures fuel anxiety, self-doubt, and low self-esteem. Left unchecked, they can lead to disengagement, poor performance, strained relationships, and a cycle of despair that’s difficult to escape.

Also read: Con Brio Cares gears up for prematurity awareness month

Hlekani believes that this is exactly why schools must play a proactive role. “Access means awareness and safety. It’s not just about helping students already in crisis; it’s about ensuring they have someone to guide them before challenges escalate.”

At Centennial Schools, that philosophy has translated into concrete action. The school partners with mental health professionals, trains teachers to recognise early warning signs, and has introduced the It’sOk app, a digital tool that allows students to flag concerns discreetly, access resources, and connect with help quickly.

This proactive, tech-enabled approach helps the school track emerging trends and respond early to student needs. “You cannot expect strong academic outcomes if a student is struggling mentally.

Concentration, problem-solving, and motivation all depend on mental wellness. Schools have a duty to help students develop resilience, emotional regulation, decision-making, and social skills, the very tools that set them up for success.”

Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates!