Almost one in ten teenage deaths in South Africa every year is the result of suicide.<\/p>\n
Up to 20 per cent of high school learners have tried to take their own lives.<\/p>
But many of these tragedies can be averted by paying attention to warning signals and risk factors, building emotional resilience, and taking suicide threats seriously.<\/p>\n
Dr Sebolelo Seape, the chairperson of the Psychiatry Management Group (PsychMG), said the prevention of teen suicides starts with a better understanding of the symptoms of depression.<\/p>
\u201cMost people with depression are not suicidal, but most suicidal people are depressed,\u201d she said, hence the importance of knowing the symptoms of depression.<\/p>\n
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), depression is globally the third highest disease burden among adolescents, and suicide the second leading cause of death in 15 to 29-year-olds, while the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) states that nine per cent of teenage deaths in the country are due to suicide.<\/p>\n
The 2011 Youth Risk Behaviour Survey (YRBS) found that a quarter of Grade Eight to 11 learners across all South Africa\u2019s provinces had felt so sad or hopeless that they couldn\u2019t engage in their usual daily activities for two weeks or more.<\/p>\n
More than one in six had either thought about suicide, made plans to commit suicide or attempted it at least once in the past six months.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis suggests a large proportion of teenagers are suffering from mental and emotional health problems.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe youth are the future of our country and we need to act to prevent the devastating consequences of them losing their hope for the future,\u201d Seape said.<\/p>\n
Depression and other mental health disorders have a serious impact on the individual\u2019s ability to function and perform their normal activities, she said, while the WHO notes growing evidence that promoting and protecting adolescent health brings long-term benefits to economies and society.<\/p>\n
\u201cHealthy young adults are able to make greater contributions to the workforce, their families and communities, and society as a whole,\u201d the organisation said.<\/p>\n
Seape said the causes of depression and related mental illnesses in teenagers and young adults are multi-faceted.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is the stressful nature of the teenage years \u2013 for some teenagers, the normal developmental changes of these years, such as bodily changes, new patterns of thoughts and feelings, can be unsettling and overwhelming.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are social changes too, like changing schools, the pressure of final exams, the prospect of leaving home to start tertiary studies or a job, as well as other stress factors such as family issues, changes in their friend networks, and the pressure to succeed.<\/p>\n
\u201cProblems appear too big, too difficult or embarrassing to overcome, and suicide may look like the only option,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
She added that warning signs and symptoms could include changes in eating and sleeping habits, loss of interest in usual activities, neglect of personal appearance or hygiene, withdrawal from friends and family, or running away from home.<\/p>\n
Alcohol and substance abuse, unnecessary risk-taking behaviour, obsession with death and dying, and numerous physical complaints linked to emotional distress, are also signals, she said, along with feelings of boredom, agitation, nervousness, sadness, loneliness or hopelessness.<\/p>\n
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ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n You may not realise you have mental health problems, screen against them<\/a><\/p>\n Bertha Gxowa speaks out against the stigma around mental health illnesses<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSome teenagers may actually pass verbal hints by talking about death and dying directly or indirectly, they may talk about wanting to die and begin to dispose of much-loved possessions, and they may write a suicide note.<\/p>\n \u201cAll threats of suicide must be taken seriously,\u201d she warned.<\/p>\n Seape said existing mental illness or substance abuse, and a family history of mental illness, suicide, substance abuse or violence, heightened the risk of suicide, and \u201ca previous attempt is the strongest predictor of another suicide attempt\u201d.<\/p>\n She said suicides rarely happen without warning, and learning and recognising these signals is the most effective way to prevent suicide.<\/p>\n Parents, teachers and friends concerned about a teenager at risk of suicide should be willing to listen without judgment, provide reassurance that they care, and to ask questions about suicidal thoughts.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t try to argue them out of suicide and avoid guilt-inducing statements like \u2018suicide will hurt your family\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cRather let them know that you care and want to understand, that they are not alone, and that problems and suicidal feelings are temporary \u2013 that depression can be treated and problems can be solved,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n People wanting to help a depressed teenager could suggest that they talk to an external party like a teacher, doctor or counsellor, and offer to go with them for support.<\/p>\n On any concerns of a suicide risk, she said, the person should be taken immediately to a clinic or emergency room.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce the condition has been identified, continue to offer support and take an active role, for example by ensuring that they take prescribed medication or attend scheduled counselling sessions,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Seape also pointed to the role of parents and educators in building children\u2019s mental and emotional resilience \u2013 the ability to cope with everyday challenges and to overcome disappointments and failures as a normal part of life.<\/p>\n This could include informal life lessons, talking about issues and problems and how to deal with them, role modelling healthy emotional behaviour, as well as formal life skills or psychosocial support if needed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n