With more than 700 000 cases of died by suicide reported globally, an urgent intervention is needed to address the major public health challenge.
Tuesday marks World Suicide Prevention Day and this day focuses on the issues, helping reduce stigmas and raise awareness amongst collaborative organizations to say that suicides are preventable. Each suicide has far-reaching social, emotional, and economic consequences, and deeply affects individuals and communities worldwide.
In South Africa, the South African Depression and Anxiety
Group (SADAG) is focusing specifically on the alarming rise in teen suicide
rates in the country, aiming to create a lasting impact through education,
intervention, and awareness programs. According to recent studies, suicide is
one of the leading causes of death among young people aged 15-24 in the
country.
“Over the last year, SADAG has visited over a 100 schools
in Gauteng and from our evaluation insights, 3 in 10 teachers report that learners
in their school have died by suicide in the last year,’’ said Roshni
Parbhoo-Seetha, SADAG’s Project Manager for the School Outreach Programme.
"Teen suicide is an urgent public health issue in
South Africa. We are seeing increasingly high numbers of adolescents suffering
from depression, anxiety, family and relationship problems, and the pressures
of modern life, all of which contribute to the alarming suicide statistics we
face. Early intervention, especially through school-based programmes, is
essential to saving lives," she added.
The triennial theme for World Suicide Prevention Day for
2024-2026 is "Changing the Narrative on Suicide" with the call to action
"Start the Conversation".
This theme aims to raise awareness about the importance of
reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations to prevent suicides.
‘’Every conversation, no matter how small, contributes to a
supportive and understanding society. By initiating these vital conversations,
we can break down barriers, raise awareness, and create better cultures of
support,’’ said the World Health Organisation.
Done By: Mitchum George
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