A partnership between the Gauteng department of education and several organisations aims to address the alarming suicide rate among students in the province. The collaboration will see the department and organisations reach out to learners, parents and educators on mental health.
Since the start of the 2023 academic year, said education MEC Matome Chiloane, there were 40 alleged suicide cases among learners. He said they have also called upon the department of health to assist in dealing with the root causes of learner suicide.
“We are joining hands … to help our learners and educators deal with the psychological challenges, which may lead to suicide or suicidal thoughts,” he said.
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School visits to create awareness and prevention of suicide
Furthermore, said the MEC, they will embark on an awareness drive at schools in the province. They will also engage parents, guardians and caregivers.
”We will, together with Sadag, in the coming weeks be visiting schools to raise awareness about the causes of suicide and how to prevent suicide. Our messages will not only be targeting learners, but we will also be speaking to their parents, guardians and/or caregivers so that they are aware of the warning signs,” said Chiloane.
Last month, the department expressed shock after two pupils, one in Grade 8 and another in Grade 12, from Tsakane Secondary School, Brakpan, took their own lives. Another four from the same school also attempted suicide and had to be taken to hospital.
Among the organisations to partner with the department are the Matthew Goniwe School of Leadership and Governance (MGSLG), the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag), Childline, the Teddy Bear Foundation, and the National Association of Child and Youth Care Workers (NACCW), he said.
