Teen Suicide Prevention Week – February 14 to 21

Teen Suicide Prevention Week (February, 14 to 21, 2021) highlights awareness around teen depression and suicide, especially with the increased stressors of the Covid-19 pandemic has worsened across the globe, so has the mental health of children and teens.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death in 15 to 19 year olds (World Health Organisation, 2020).

The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) is focusing on creating awareness that teen depression and suicide is a particular high risk in South African teens as the mental health impact of Covid-19 has been immense, especially as they navigate a new world of online learning or delayed learning, social isolation, loss, grief and trauma, with increased anxiety and depression.

Psychiatrist and Sadag board chairperson, Dr Frans Korb, says, “There is a myth that depression or suicide doesn’t affect teens or children, in fact it is very real and affects more young people than we know, with teens being a particular high risk for suicide. Depression is the leading cause of suicide, it doesn’t discriminate against age, gender, race, religion or socio-economic background.”

Sadag has seen an increase in the number of calls to the Suicide Helpline, and it encourages parents, teachers and family members to know the warning signs of depression and suicide, and to reach out for help as soon as possible.

Now more than ever, parents need to connect and engage with their children – ask questions, listen to understand, get to know what is happening in their teens lives and what they are feeling and thinking, and connect to help if you pick up any warning signs for depression or suicide before it is too late – it could save a life.

There is still a lot of stigma and fear around suicide, and many parents and teachers are afraid that if they talk about suicide to teens that it would cause them to take their life.

Sadag’s Operations Director, Cassey Chambers explains, “Research shows that talking about suicide with a young person does not cause them to have thoughts of suicide or kill themselves. But not talking about it can lead to thoughts of suicide turning into actions. Talking about suicide and depression creates an opportunity to discuss feelings and thoughts that might have otherwise remain hidden. Most teens who are thinking about suicide are actually honest and relieved when asked direct questions about their suicide thoughts or feelings.”

But informing and empowering parents and teachers on how to have these conversations with teens is the first step to preventing teen suicide.

Sadag will be hosting two free online CONNECT Webinars for Teachers (February 24, at 3.30pm) and Parents (25 February 25, at 1pm) with experts to unpack how to identify warning signs of teen depression and suicide at home and in the classroom, self help tips to deal with depression, how to talk about suicide with a teen, developing a suicide safety plan, and how to connect to help.

Visit www.sadag.org for more details about the free Connect Webinars and RSVP for your free seat today.

“Even if you notice one warning sign, don’t wait or leave it. Talk today, listen and connect to help – it could save a life,” Ms Chambers.

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