World Mental Health Day: South Africa’s youth is in crisis

More and more university students are unable able to cope with their problems, which has resulted in many suicides on campus. University students experience depression, stress and anxiety every day without any knowledge they are suffering from a mental illness.

ALSO READ: Suicide: Warning signs, and where to find help

“Unfortunately this has led to many suicides, which we can’t afford as a caring society,” says clinical psychologist Zamo Mbele, a board member of the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG). “World Mental Health Day is important in spotlighting mental illness and promoting mental wellness for the student population, which is a growing vulnerable group.”

It’s important that parents, teachers, grandparents, loved ones and entire communities know that depression can affect young people too. It is important to know the signs and symptoms of depression, the suicide warning signs and how to get help before it is too late. The main triggers include relationship problems, family issues, abuse, loss or grief and trauma. Other contributing factors include exam stress, substance abuse, bullying, learning difficulties, financial issues and chronic illness.

“From the hundreds of calls that SADAG receives every day, children, teens and young adults are dealing with many problems they feel they can’t handle,” says operations director Cassey Chambers. “The youth are not equipped with enough coping skills or support structures to handle the kind of problems that they have to deal with every day.”

SADAG is running an online campaign throughout October to eliminate stigma surrounding mental health, and to encourage young people to talk about important topics related to mental health. SADAG’s #WhatIf campaign will focus on social media, follow Facebook (The South African Depression and Anxiety Group) and Twitter (@TheSADAG), discussing questions such as:

• #WhatIf more people knew there was help available before it was too late?
• #WhatIf people knew that depression was a real medical illness that needed real treatment?
• #WhatIf we had more serious conversations about depression with our teens?

SADAG is highlighting #YouthMentalHealth in various activities throughout the month of October, which include:

• Facebook Friday online expert chat on Friday, October 12 from 1pm to 2pm and 7pm to 8pm;
• School talks to pupils, teachers and parents about teen depression and suicide prevention;
• University wellness talks and events around the country;
• Uploading an ‘Online Youth Toolkit’ with helpful articles, videos, resources and self-help tips via www.sadag.org;
• Sharing brochures, handouts, armbands and posters with communities across the country.

SADAG runs various helplines that offer free telephonic counselling, information and referrals for people dealing with any mental health issue including stress, seven days a week:

Suicide Helpline 0800 567 567
24 hour Substance Abuse Helpline 0800 12 13 14
Sms 31393
Website www.sadag.org

“With the matric final exams about to start, as well as all other exams for other grades and at universities, students will be dealing with increased pressure and stress, on top of everything they have been dealing with throughout the year,” says Mr Mbele.

“The old African proverb that says it takes a village to raise a child. Empowering teachers, parents, grandparents, churches, friends and family about the issues of youth and mental health is critical if we want to be able to get young people help before it is too late and help prevent youth suicides.”

Every day should be #WorldMentalHealthDay.

(Information from The South African Depression and Anxiety Group) 

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