Residents urged to help tackle teen suicide

With this is mind, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group is appealing to residents to join in the fight against the tragic occurrence.

This follows reports on the increasing rate of teenage suicide, and the Rivonia-based organisation lists teenage suicide as one of the most critical issues they are facing.

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Cassey Chambers, operations manager at Sadag, spoke briefly on the increasing trend and the impact it has on the organisation’s ability to help.

“Each year the statistics are rising and, as the only suicide crisis helplines in the country, we are often overwhelmed with the number of calls,” she said.

She added that the tragedy was a preventable one but, according to experts, suicide rates among children aged 10 to 14 have nearly doubled in the last decade-and-a-half, and one in five teens in the country has attempted suicide.

Chambers further stressed the need for families, friends and communities to play their part in saving the youth, especially with the festive season coming up.

“As we approach Christmas, we appeal to everyone, especially in the corporate sector, to get behind us and help those suffering in silence throughout the country,” she said.

Chambers concluded by also appealing to residents to support the group and help them continue their work of helping those affected by suicide.

Details: For more information or to donate, visit www.sadag.org