Empowering youth to facilitate suicide prevention
THE message at a youth empowerment project, to address the surge of teen suicide in Durban, was clear – death is not the answer to a problem.
Youth and parents attended the motivational talk at the Agape Community Fellowship in Trenance Manor, Phoenix, where the project director Bradley O’Neal Munoo stressed that children were not alone.
He said for that every person who ended his or her life, more than 30 other attempts were made.
“This is why I have created this platform, so the youth can vent their problems in an environment that is supportive to them,” said Munoo, who encouraged them to never stop believing in their capabilities.
He said the only person who cold make one’s future bright was the individual and God.
“Life is not easy but if you have the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed.”
He told parents: “Check up on your children. Ask direct questions to identity if your child has suicidal thoughts or feelings. You are giving your child a chance to talk about what they may be going through and helping him or her feel less alone at a time when they might feel isolated.
“It might be hard for you to hear about your child’s feelings but it is important to listen. Also let your child do most of the talking. Let your child know you understand how hard it is for them to talk about their feelings but you are there for them.”
Motivational speaker CJ Benjamin told the youngsters that their dreams must be greater than their current circumstances.
“You have to think beyond the way you are now. If you are still fixated on your current pain because your boyfriend left you, your 15-year-old boyfriend broke your heart, or your 16-year-old girlfriend liked the boy with spiky-hair, remember you get 17 beautiful years to be a kid.
“You also need to know your identity in God because if you don’t, you will be lost, you will be searching and seeking.
“Whoever you pray to, or whatever faith you belong to, you have to find your strength in God first.”