Spike in suicides in Pretoria east during lockdown
“We have definitely seen an increase in suicides since the lockdown started and still do up to now,” said Netcare 911.
There has been a notable increase in suicide cases in Pretoria since the beginning of the national lockdown, paramedics revealed this week.
“We have definitely seen an increase in suicides since the lockdown started and still do up to now,” said Netcare 911 spokesperson Shaun Herbst.
“A large portion of these suicides are occurring in residential homes.”
Herbst said when speaking to family members of the deceased, many say the suicide victim suffered from depression or another mental health-related condition.
“While many people who took their own lives suffered from mental health issues, some didn’t,” said Herbst.
“Lockdown hasn’t helped either.”
According to him, people who attempted to commit suicide but failed also stressed depression, family and work issues as the reason for their actions.
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“Many of the suicides we attended to took an overdose of prescription medication, while some hanged themselves, others used firearms and others jumped from buildings and bridges.”
There had been drownings as well.
Vemru paramedic Casper Visser said they attended to four suicides and three attempted suicides in the east of Pretoria since the beginning of the lockdown.
The attempted suicides involved overdoses and shootings.
“We arranged counselling for them or we transported them to hospital.
According to Visser, the highest number of suicides was at the end of level 5, start of level 4 lockdown.
Bull Security was called out to assist at various suicide cases.
“On level three we noticed a very big spike in suicide cases,” said Bull Security spokesperson French Jooste.
“They were mostly males between 40 and 50. Most of the time, they would leave a suicide note saying farewell to family members or sometimes giving a reason for their actions.”
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He said his team had to deal with “a few” suicides in the past month and have witnessed the emotional impact it has on the family members.
“We always arrange trauma counselling for everyone, especially close family members.”
Social worker Jacques Botes said only about 60% of people committing suicide showed any signs of depression.
“Depression as such is not always the sole reason for suicide; there are many other experiences that could have an impact on a person,” he said.
“Traditionally, it was thought that depression was the only contributor to suicide but today, the term ‘depression’ is sometimes mistakenly used to describe a whole range of mood disorders.”
If you are experiencing an emergency in your life and would like someone to talk to, feel free to contact Mon Ami’s 24-hour trauma line on 073-653-4497.
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