Bid to curb teen suicides

MENTAL HEALTH: EDUCATIONAL DRIVE TO HELP PREVENT PUPIL DEATHS

- Masoka Dube

As the number of teens attempting suicide seems to be escalating, parents and teachers have been urged to play their part to quell the situation.

This is according to Shaheda Omar, clinical director for the Teddy Bear Foundation.

Omar was reacting to the department of basic education statistics which showed that about 7426 children, under the age of 18, were treated after suicide attempts from last April to December.

South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) statistics showed that 9% of all teen deaths were caused by suicide.

Omar said feeling unappreciated and worthless were some of the factors that led to suicides.

"Children turn to suicide if they feel unappreciated, especially when their parents, family members and teachers compare them with other children doing well in a particular task," she said.

"They feel they do not measure up to the expectations and see themselves as failures. Family members should support children even if they do not do well."