Suicide claims one in 10 SA teenagers

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY: SA COUNTS THE COSTS

Knowing warning signs of depression is critical – Psychiatry Management Group

Marking World Mental Health Day today, the Psychiatry Management Group (PMG) says understanding the symptoms of depression is key to prevent teen suicides and that they hope to raise awareness of the disease.

According to PMG chairperson Dr Sebolelo Seape, the latest statistics show that one in 10 teenage deaths reported annually in South Africa was from suicide, with the figure up 20% among high school pupils. However, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group puts it lower at one in nine.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), suicide is globally the second leading cause of death among teenagers aged between 15 to 29, with depression being the third highest disease among adolescents.

“A large proportion of teenagers suffer from mental and emotional problems. The youth are the future of our country and we need to act to prevent the devastating consequences of them losing hope,” Seape said.

Depression and other mental health disorders, she said, have a serious impact on individuals’ ability to function and perform normal activities.

The causes of depression and related mental illnesses in teenagers and young adults were multifaceted. “There is the stressful nature of the teenage years and the normal developmental changes of these years such as bodily changes. This leads to new thoughts and feelings, which can be unsettling and overwhelming.

“There are social changes too, like changing schools, the pressure of final exams, the prospect of leaving home to start tertiary studies or a job and family issues, changes in friend networks and the pressure to succeed. Problems seem too big, difficult or embarrassing to overcome and suicide may look like the only option,” she said.

Warning signs included changes in eating and sleeping habits; loss of interest in activities, neglect of appearance or hygiene; withdrawal from friends and family. “Some teenagers may pass verbal hints by talking about death ... All suicide threats must be taken seriously,” she added. “Don’t try to talk them out of suicide ... rather let them know you care and that they are not alone.”

All threats of suicide must be taken seriously