Akeso George helps fight teen suicide

Akeso George has thrown in its weight with Teen Suicide Prevention Week, which is celebrated from 14 to 21 February annually. Akeso George offers an adolescent unit that caters for teens up to the age of 18 years and aims to provide help and relief from psychiatric disorders such as depression, bipolar mood disorder, substance abuse, mild personality difficulties and other associated adjustment problems. The aim of Teen Suicide Prevention Week is to raise awareness about teen suicide, what can be done to prevent it, warning signs to look out for, and where young people can get help if they need it.

The World Health Organisation shared the following statistics in 2020:

Globally, depression is one of the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death in 15 to 19-year-olds.

One in six depression sufferers are aged 10 to 19 years.

Mental health conditions account for 16% of the global burden of disease and injury in people aged 10 to 19 years.

Half of all mental health conditions start by the age of 14, but most cases are undetected and untreated.

Myth: Suicide attempts are just a way of "looking for attention".

Fact: It would be dangerous to assume that any attempt at suicide, whether "serious" injury is sustained or not, is simply attentionseeking behaviour that does not require intervention. Any form of suicidal acting out would indicate that there is deep underlying distress and an inability to cope with current

At Akeso both young patients and their family are treated with dignity and respect, delivering clinical excellence in their world-class facility. life circumstances, whether this is attributable feelings, reduce to depression or another type of mental impulsive acting out health problem. (particularly those that are self-harming), regulate emotions and sustain healthy relationships.

The multi-disciplinary treatment team assists the patients to define their life goals and purpose and find ways to attain them effectively.

Akeso programmes

Akeso George offers a multi-disciplinary team including psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists and registered nurses who work with the adolescents to focus on them in the context of their own environments. The programme consists of a combination of individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, skills development, mindfulness, therapeutic relaxation, leisure / social activities, and regular exercise.

The aim is to assist young people in developing skills to tolerate overwhelming

Stay in touch with Akeso George: 044 805 0130 www.akeso.co.za belinda.c@akeso.co.za

The treatment programme in the adolescent unit is a holistic one which focuses on treating the individual adolescent patient in the context of his or her various environments including family, school, friends and community.