Suicide walk in Edenvale on September 10
75 per cent of people who attempt suicide give some warning of their intentions to a friend or family member
Have you lost a loved one to suicide? Do you know someone who has attempted suicide? Do you know how to help someone who is suicidal?
There are 23 completed suicides in South Africa every day. For every suicide, there are 20 attempted suicides and this number could be higher as suicide is still very under-reported.
“75 per cent of people who attempt suicide give some warning of their intentions to a friend or family member. Therefore, it is vital for loved ones to know the warning signs and symptoms of suicide,” says clinical psychologist and SADAG board member, Zamo Mbele.
“Many people don’t know how to respond to suicide, attempted suicide and ideation (the feeling of wanting to commit suicide). Some might frame suicide attempts as ‘selfish acts’, accusing the individual of not caring for those around them.
“Suicidal ideation is often brushed off, painted as someone being overdramatic, or dismissed as an empty threat. The truth is that suicidal people are scared to face it head on – mortality can be a frightening concept,” says psychologist Gregory Eccles.
World Suicide Prevention Day is on September 10 and there will be a suicide awareness walk in Edenvale in order to raise awareness for suicide prevention and support those who have lost loved ones to suicide.
Guenevere, the organiser of this initiative, says: “Sometimes our circumstances can seem like giants to us but I believe ‘hope’ is found in a community which refuses to let another person face a giant alone. Hope is a community of people who genuinely care for each other.”
Registration for the walk starts at 7.30am and the walk will begin at 8am. It will take place at Edenvale Sports Club, 17th Avenue, JP Bezuidenhout Park, Edenvale. The entry is a donation of R30. Don’t forget to wear yellow to show your support of the cause.
If you or a loved one are seeking help, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) provides free telephonic counselling, information and nationwide referrals to support groups, psychologists, psychiatrists, clinics and more.
Online resources such as brochures, articles, self-help tips and videos can be found at www.sadag.org.
SADAG toll-free helpline: 0800 70 80 90
SMS line: 31393
