Teenage Suicide
A very sensitive topic very close to my heart. Teenage suicide remains a difficult subject to venture into. Sometimes it is quietly dealt with, due to stigma and discrimination surrounding families having their loved ones dying by taking their own lives.
Having travelled the teenager-hood journey, I know how difficult it can be sometimes, the emotions that one goes through, the life adjustments that one has to face and be able to navigate that journey, can be overwhelming.
According to the SA Society of Psychiatrists, almost one in ten teenage deaths in South Africa every year are the result of suicide. Up to 20% of high school learners have tried to take their own lives.
The Question Is Why?
This is the question that leaves most of us, parents, siblings, family members, friends asking WHY. It leaves us puzzled, with unanswered questions, guilt and blame.
Suicide is usually not a spare of the moment decision, no one wakes up and says I am going to commit suicide. It’s something that is planned and thought through.
Adolescence is already a difficult time for most young people, characterised by physical, cognitive and social changes that they go through:
- Academic or school stress, that comes with peer pressure, wanting to fit an, being the “It” person,
- Bullying that is rife in our schools, and
- Love relationships.
Young people find themselves burdened and overwhelmed, leading to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. If one is unable to find answers into the above, suicide might be the way out.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
If you are a teenager reading this, or a friend, family member, educator suspecting that someone you know, or a loved one might be suicidal:
If you are a teenager reading this, or a friend, family member, educator suspecting that someone you know, or a loved one might be suicidal:
- When there is prolonged sadness, tearfulness and hopelessness, which are signs and symptoms of depression, do not take this lightly.
- Withdrawing from their families and friends, is concerning. When you withdraw or isolate yourself, you tend to be flooded by negative emotions and thoughts that can become overwhelming. This is when the suicidal thoughts start to creep in.
Action
- Encourage them to seek professional help: GPs, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and other health professionals are trained to deal with issues relating to suicide, mental illness, and wellbeing.
- Contact people or organisations that specialise in crisis intervention, trauma, and suicide prevention such as Lifeline or SADAG.
- Let us become aware of how people feel, express their feelings.
- Importantly, normalise checking in on each other, as families, let us start engaging, be present.
- Teenagers, let your support structures into your world, do not face problems alone.
- Let us be willing to listen to each other without being judgmental.
- Offer hope, show interest and support to someone going through a rough time. There are alternatives to suicide.
- Joining a support group to get more assistance.
If someone asks you to keep suicide a secret, it is a red flag!! Do not agree to keeping it a secret, it is important to reach out and seek help.
Encourage Hope & Strengthen Prevention
Through our actions we can encourage hope and strengthen prevention. We can let people with suicidal thoughts know there is hope, that we care as society, families and communities for each other’s wellbeing. By us rallying together, collaborating, we can create for hope for those that are in distress, going through hardships, facing hardship.
Don’t let your child, sibling, friend, family member become a statistic. There is help!
Click here to get in touch with us.
