What if one conversation could save a life? That is the question driving SafeTalk, a globally recognised four-hour workshop designed to help people aged 15 and older identify when someone may be thinking about suicide and guide them towards professional support.

According to CEO Lino Muller, South Africa urgently needs open and honest conversations about mental health. He said, while awareness is growing, stigma still prevents many people from asking for help. Muller believes workplaces, schools, and communities all have a role to play in changing that culture.

He explained that too many people fear being judged, dismissed, or labelled weak when they are struggling. Safe Talk focuses on teaching practical skills so people can recognise warning signs, respond with compassion and connect someone in distress to the right support.

Read more: Highlands North community unites for suicide prevention and awareness

The organisation is also placing strong emphasis on young people. Muller said suicide attempts are being seen at increasingly younger ages, making early intevention and teacher training more important than ever. He added that many children silently carry anxiety, depression, and trauma, often hiding their pain until they are given a safe space to speak.

Muller, who has personal experience with suicide loss in his own family, said one of the biggest misconceptions is that suicide is selfish. “People in that dark space often believe others would be better off without them.”

As SafeTalk expands its work, funding remains one of its biggest challenges. The organisation is calling on donors to help bring workshops to more schools, workplaces, and under resourced communities.

For anyone struggling, Muller’s message is simple: Speak to someone. Reach out to family, a trusted friend or a professional. Sometimes the first conversation can be the beginning of hope.

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