- 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
