FOR every one suicide there are 20 attempted suicides. This frightening statistic serves as a dark reminder of the number of people who are fighting daily battles that often go unspoken. September is globally recognised as Suicide Prevention Month and is aimed at creating open dialogues around the topic that is so heavily silenced and stigmatised.

Also read: Making every conversation count this Suicide Prevention Day

Someone who has felt the brunt of these destructive thoughts is Wentworth’s Taariq Stokes who said that overcoming the battle in your mind is one of the most difficult things you can go through. 

Being open with one another 

The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) is calling on people to break the stigma around suicide and mental health by asking the potentially life-saving question of “are you okay?”.

The idea of suicide is not something that just springs up in people’s minds, it is rather a build-up of problems and issues. Stokes said that getting to the point where you feel suicide is your only option is a very dark place.

“It is a very sad place to find yourself in. Your emotions are everywhere. You feel like a burden to people and that is the number one cause as to why you keep quiet and steer away from engaging with people,” he said.

Creating the conversation 

Sadag said that asking about suicide does not put the idea into someone’s head but gives them a chance to actually open up and have a potentially life-saving conversation.

Also read: Teens have the highest suicide risk

Stokes said that sometimes people do not take the time to have the conversation because they have a misconception of what a suicidal person looks like.

“People think that if you look normal then you are a perfectly functioning human being. Depression is not a look, it is a deep-rooted spirit that eats you slowly from the inside,” he said. 

There are available resources

Each person is different and speaking on the topic can be difficult but Sadag has tons of resources that can help you help others.

 “You may not be able to solve the problem, but you can help someone take the next step towards safety and support,” said the organisation in a statement. 

Also read: Suicide Awareness and Prevention

Stokes said for him a healthy support system from family and friends was key to his recovery.

“They are the ones that single-handedly got me the help I needed,” he said. Additionally, Stokes said that road running has always been therapeutic for him. 

Suicide stats 

• The national suicide rate in the country is 23.5 per 100 000 people 
• We have the third highest suicide rate in Africa 
• The second leading cause of death among young people aged 15-29 is suicide

Get help

For more information on how you can help someone else visit www.sadag.org. 

If you are someone who is struggling with thoughts of suicide, contact the following 24-hour toll-free emergency helplines:

• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0800 567 567
• Department of Social Development Substance Abuse Helpline: 0800 12 13 14 or SMS 32312
• Cipla Mental Health Helpline: 0800 456 789 or SMS 31393
• NPOwer SA Helpline: 0800 515 515  or SMS 43010
• Healthcare Workers Care Network Helpline:0800 21 21 21 or SMS 43001
• UFS #Fair Kitchens Chefs Helpline: 0800 006 333

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