VANDERBIJLPARK – With an alarmingly high number of youth suicide statistics, Sedibeng College hosted a mental health awareness campaign on August 1.
According to the institution’s career guidance officer and student counsellor, Tessa Curry, the event came as an acknowledgement by the college to equip youth with relevant information concerning depression, self-harm, and suicide.
Counsellor – Student Support Services, Tessa Curry, speaking during the event. Photos: Sifiso Jimta
Speaking to Ster, Curry said, “The objective of the event was to make the students aware that help is available, they are not alone, and that they should embrace and celebrate life as a gift received from God.”
With the title ‘Celebrate Life’, several stakeholders, such as social workers, psychologists, and therapists, among many others, joined the venture.
“We had speakers such as Ntebogeng Pelo (social worker), Themba Manzini (clinical psychologist), Fathima Khan (occupational therapist), and Nkateka Mukhaowa (dietician) who all from Johan Heyns Clinic and engaged the gathered crowds on different issues. We also had representatives from LifeLine, Indibano, SANCA, SAPS, and NICRO,” she said.
Sedibeng College, Vanderbijlpark.
With the college’s auditorium packed to its knees, several entertainment items were performed. Curry took the opportunity to explain the need for some acts.
“We had a musical art item performed by our students to explain the effect depression and suicide have on an individual and as motivation to choose life,” she said.
“Students responded very well to the message, and we hope that the message will serve as motivation to live life to the full and to know the signs of depression and suicide and reach out to others for help as help is available,” she said.
If you are battling with depression, contact the following numbers for depression related matters: Johan Heyns Clinic: 081 034 3533 – Mental Health assistance – depression, self-harm, suicide ideation, occupational therapy, etc.
SANCA: Addiction treatment programmes and counselling: 016 933 2055 / 083 382 1636
LifeLine 24-hour crisis line for depression, grief, loneliness, trauma, suicide, etc. counselling: 016 428 1640 5 0796.
