With the rate of suicidality among young people increasing significantly since 2021, much more needs to be done, especially by our government, which needs to greatly improve access to mental health care. As a society, we have a responsibility to educate ourselves more about mental health and play an active role in destigmatising the topic.

This is according to Tebogo Malatjie, who is a Counselling Psychologist in the Department of Student Counselling and Development at the University of the Free State. Malatjie says a campaign such as World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is important, because it brings a very important topic to the fore by raising community awareness and breaking down the stereotypes and stigma surrounding it.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says WSPD was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention, in conjunction with the WHO. The WSPD is an annual campaign that takes place on 10 September and aims to shine a light on the topic of suicide in an attempt to reduce stigma and raise awareness among organisations, governments, and the public. The campaign focuses on sending out the supportive and unifying message to all who are struggling with their mental health, namely – suicide is preventable.

Challenges faced by young people 

Malatjie says that according to statistics from organisations such as the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), almost 2 200 calls are received daily from people in distress. “I believe the pressure just became too much to handle. Young people these days are exposed to a whole lot more via social media; they are made to believe that success looks one particular way and if they don't attain it according to the perceived societal standards, then it means they have failed.”

“As much as social media is a great platform for young people to get access to information about their mental health, it is also not regulated and there is a lot of false information and narratives about what good or bad mental health is, which further fuels the problem.”

A 2023 study by Bantjes et al. suggests that in addition to expected challenges of emerging adulthood, many South African university students face several socioeconomic stressors with a negative impact on their mental health. These include but are not limited to gender-based violence (GBV), inequality, and housing and food insecurity. Malatjie says she comes across many of these cases, as well as phase-of-life difficulties, relational conflicts, burnout, anxiety, bereavement, depression, and suicidality.

“Other common challenges faced by this population of clients – often those who contemplate suicide – are self-esteem issues linked with feelings of purposelessness and failure, sexual assault, academic struggles (some leading to exclusion from the university), the loss of a parent or significant figure in their life, and the pressure of being a first-generation university student in their family.” 

Government needs to do more

“As therapists, we are trying our level best to be accessible, to educate, and to meet young people where they are, but we are limited in how much of an impact we can have. A lot more needs to be done.” 

“Firstly, I believe that access to mental health care needs to be greatly improved by the government; they need to staff all primary and high schools with a mental health practitioner who is able to educate students and staff on mental health issues and provide in-house interventions, as many people can't afford to access private mental health care,” says Malatjie.

She goes on to state that government needs to hire more psychologists in community clinics and public hospitals to increase accessibility. “Government also needs to provide more funding to institutions of higher education to enable them to employ more mental health professionals, as these are spaces within which most young people can be reached.”

“Campaigns such as WSPD helps those who are struggling with their mental health to realise that they are not alone, and that they are heard and seen. It validates their struggle and gives them access to information and resources that can help support them. Campaigns like this one can save lives,” says Malatjie.