Here's what SA's teen girls want you to know about their state of mind
At the centre is the girl herself — her thoughts, feelings and personal struggles. Around her are her relationships with family and friends, and with school and the community. And then there's the bigger picture: a society fraught with inequality and impossible expectations.
Our team of researchers used this framework to make sense of the ways those circles of influence affect the mental health of South Africa's teen girls and young women.
The data is limited, but what we do know shows numbers that are staggering. A 2022 study of learners in the Western Cape found that one in three were experiencing symptoms of depression, while research in Mpumalanga showed that just over a quarter did — with girls far more likely to be depressed than boys of the same age.
Our earlier work highlighted what we called a sexual and reproductive mental health syndemic — a messy mix of overlapping sexual and reproductive health risks and emotional struggles. When girls feel isolated, unsupported and under constant pressure, it often leads to taking bigger risks, such as having sex with the wrong people for the wrong reasons, or not using a condom, heightening their chances of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, falling pregnant without planning for it, and mental health problems.
Several studies have looked at the social, economic, environmental, physiological and interpersonal factors that play a part in mental health struggles among young people in South Africa. But there has been scant focus on how young women themselves see the different issues influencing their mental health and wellbeing.
We sat down with over 50 young women between the ages of 15 and 24 from two communities — one in KwaZulu-Natal and the other in North West — with high rates of HIV, early pregnancy and school drop-outs. What they shared with us showed how stress doesn't just come from one place — it strikes from every angle. But they also told us how despite the challenges they face, they somehow manage to keep it together.
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Daily Mail
4 hours ago
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Yahoo
5 hours ago
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Danaher Corporation Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Biomerieux Hologic, Inc. Qiagen Bd Trinity Biotech Orasure Technologies, Inc. Biosynex Sa Wondfo Getein Biotech, Inc. Meril Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd. Accubiotech Co., Ltd. Biolytical Laboratories Inc. Bio Lab Diagnostics (I) Private Limited Alpine Biomedicals Pvt Ltd. Molbio Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd. Fortress Diagnostics Advacare Pharma (Accuquik) Adaltis S.R.L. For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. CONTACT: CONTACT: Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@ For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Citizen
6 hours ago
- The Citizen
Mpumalanga MEC for health leads campaign to encourage healthy lifestyle choices
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