• What does the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) do?
• Why is there an increase in children and teenagers committing suicide?
• What are the ages of these children?
• Is suicide more prevalent in girls or boys?
• Why is this the case?
• What leads a child to think about taking their own life?
• How can you recognise the signs in children?
• What help and treatment is available through your help line?
• Are there any programs that can help school teachers deal with this crisis?
• How do people get in touch with you?

STATS

• 9.5% of all Teen Deaths due to suicide.
• Country is badly resourced for Teen help i.e. North Western Province one psychiatrist for 3.8 Million.
• 75% of children who have committed suicide tell someone first.
• In Gauteng the Youth Risk Figures indicate that 13.8% of children have considered suicide as an option.
• According to the National Youth Risk Survey 2002:
  - 25% of youth had experienced feelings of hopelessness
  - 19% had considered suicide
  - 17% attempted suicide

PROFILE OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY GROUP

• In operation in SA for 15 years
• Trained counsellors available 8am-8pm Monday to Sunday, including public holidays
• Maintain SA only toll free suicide crisis line
• Deal with Mental Health queries on Depression, Anxiety, Panic and Suicide
• Have available brochures, pamphlets and reading material in all languages on all mental health topics
• 140 support groups around SA in urban and rural area that are patient led
• Run in-school workshops for children Suicide Shouldn’t be a secret (over 200 000) children have been trained in five provinces
• When death impacts your school is a programme for schools for teachers and headmaster on how to handle a child’s death
• Active rural out reach to communities without resources in remote parts of South Africa
• Workshops to :
  - Nurses
  - Social Workers
  - Teachers
  - Police
  - Prisons
  - Traditional Healers
  - Youth Groups
  - Church Leaders
  - Community Members
  - Home-based Care Workers
• Funding for the above programs is critical from foundations, corporations and other donors