The alarming rise of youth suicide in South Africa: a call for action on mental health

IOL News

2 days ago

As the spotlight is being shone on teenagers and youth mental health, a concern has been raised about children as young as six years old taking their lives in South Africa.
Image: Pexels
Young South Africans are struggling with mental health issues, and many of them are reaching the crisis point, with the most common challenges being anxiety and panic, often triggered by school pressure, social media, and tough home situations, experts say.
In South Africa, 9% of teenage deaths are due to suicide, which is among the leading causes of death among young people aged 15-24.
Roshni Parbhoo-Seetha, schools project manager for the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) said over the last decade, SADAG has seen a rise in young people reaching out for help with mental health issues, whether through calls to helplines or messages on WhatsApp or even just learners speaking up during 'our' school visits.
'One of the most heartbreaking things is when young children are calling our suicide helpline, reaching out for help, because these ages are getting younger and younger, and when you think of the youngest child to take their life in South Africa is a six-year-old, it is both heartbreaking and alarming.
'There is also depression and suicidal thoughts, especially in teens dealing with trauma, family conflict, and some struggling with identity, and then there's also self-harm. Many of our young people are using this as a way to cope when they feel overwhelmed and don't know how to ask for help. And then also when it comes to substance abuse, sometimes it's used as a way to escape the emotional pain,' Parbhoo-Seetha said.
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She added that they have also seen how different experiences are affecting various groups, where young girls and young women often deal with grief and trauma. Many boys feel intense pressure to be strong and live up to unrealistic expectations, and as a result, it all adds up and takes a toll.
Stigma is one of the biggest barriers when it comes to getting help, and especially when getting help for mental illness. That's why we are working so hard to change this conversation, especially in schools. We have a school outreach project called suicide shouldn't Be a Secret, Parbhoo-Seetha said.
'We visit schools all over the country, and we have a special project that is currently being funded by the Gauteng Department of Education and the Matthew Goniwe School for Leadership and Governance, and we work especially in communities that have limited resources.
'We talk openly to learners, teachers, and parents about mental illness. We go class by class, grade by grade, and we talk about what mental illness looks like, how to spot the signs, and how to ask for help. We talk about anxiety, we talk about trauma, and for many people or young people, hearing that depression and anxiety are real illnesses and not diseases and not a sign of weakness is life changing, it opens the door to healing,' she said.
She highlighted that mental health support is most effective when everyone works together.
SADAG partners with various organisations, other NGOs, and local clinics. 'We partner with universities and research partners. We have counsellors who offer their time to help learners in need. Together we're trying to build a support system that stretches far beyond just a classroom,' Parbhoo-Seetha said.
She urged everyone to get involved in mental health matters.
'If anyone cares about mental health, there are so many different ways to help. You can invite SADAG to run a session at your school, youth group, or place of worship. People can sponsor schools that need mental health support. Even a single day of workshops and talks can make a massive difference.
'You can help keep our helpline open by donating. Every cent counts to help support someone in crisis. You can volunteer, especially if you're studying psychology or social work, share our campaign, share messages on social media, basically help to spread hope,' she said.
SADAG runs a 24/7 toll-free helpline, a WhatsApp support, and an email.
'The demand is growing, and we are constantly trying to stretch the limited resources that we have. Some of the biggest challenges include funding to reach every person or every school that requests help. There is a shortage of mental health professionals in many areas,' Parbhoo-Seetha said.
Nqobile Kweyama, an educational psychologist and lecturer at the University of Johannesburg, said that in South Africa, mental health stigma is fuelled by cultural beliefs, misinformation, and a lack of awareness, which greatly affects young people's willingness to seek help.
She said many communities still perceive mental illness as a weakness, spiritual punishment, or something to be hidden.
'As a result, teenagers may fear judgment from peers, family, and even teachers, leading to silence rather than help-seeking. This stigma is often intensified in rural and traditionally conservative communities, where mental health discussions are taboo. Young men, in particular, may internalise distress due to societal expectations of stoicism and masculinity, delaying early intervention.
'Warning signs of suicidal ideation may include: sudden school dropout or poor academic performance, often linked to family instability or economic pressures. Substance use is prevalent in some communities as a coping mechanism. Withdrawal and expressions of hopelessness are tied to bleak economic futures or household hardship.
'In some cultures, spiritual references (e.g., talking about ancestors calling them) may mask suicidal ideation,' Kweyama said.
She added that in gender-specific warning signs, boys may exhibit aggression or risk-taking, while girls may show emotional withdrawal or self-harming behaviours.
Socio-cultural stigma often prevents open conversations, so these signs may be misread or ignored by adults, she said.
'Systemic issues like poverty, high unemployment rates, especially youth unemployment, and economic inequality are major risk factors for poor mental health. Poverty leads to chronic stress, exposure to violence, food insecurity, and overcrowded living conditions, all of which increase vulnerability to anxiety, depression, and trauma.
'Youth unemployment creates a sense of hopelessness and loss of purpose, especially among school-leavers who cannot transition to tertiary education or employment. In high-unemployment areas, especially townships and rural provinces like KwaZulu-Natal, young people may feel trapped with limited life prospects, which heightens the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours,' Kweyama said.
She added that there has been growth in digital mental health interventions, such as SADAG's WhatsApp counselling, B-Wise, and online support via TikTok or Instagram. However, access is uneven; many youth don't have smartphones, data, or privacy at home.
Community-based interventions, such as those run by NGOs and faith-based groups, have had a positive localised impact, but they often lack funding and coordination with formal health systems. To be fully effective, these interventions need to be scaled equitably, better integrated into school systems, and complemented by in-person support, Kweyama said.
To improve mental health services, she said, South Africa needs dedicated youth mental health policies that go beyond the general mental health strategy. She highlighted the need to increase funding for public mental health, especially in underserved areas.
There must be mandatory mental health literacy training for teachers and community health workers. It needs to hire more school-based psychologists and counsellors, particularly in quintile 1–3 schools, integrate mental health into primary healthcare for early detection, and support public-private partnerships to expand access in hard-to-reach areas.
She added that digital and mobile mental health platforms should be subsidised or zero-rated for youth use, such as through zero-data WhatsApp counselling lines.
According to international research, medical students are more likely than the overall population to attempt suicide, the prevalence of suicidal ideation is 32,2%, and recorded suicide attempts are 6,9%.
Dr Thirusha Mohabir, a Durban-based clinical psychologist, said most teens who attempt suicide show warning signs first, but many adults don't recognise them until it's too late.
She said some red flags include sudden personality shifts, where a normally outgoing teen becomes withdrawn, moody, or unusually reckless. Giving away possessions, where they start handing out personal items they once valued. Changes in sleeping or eating habits, where they may stop eating regularly, sleep too much, or barely sleep at all. Self-destructive behaviour, which manifests in increased risk-taking, self-harm, or sudden substance use.
Lastly, talking about feeling hopeless, by using phrases like 'What's the point?', 'You'd be better off without me', or 'I just want to disappear'. She said these should never be ignored.
Mohabir added that even small hints on social media posts can be cries for help.
If you suspect a teen in your life might be struggling, don't ignore it. Many adults hesitate to start the conversation because they worry about saying the wrong thing. But doing nothing is worse, she said.
'Ask Directly: 'Are you feeling overwhelmed?' or 'Have you been thinking about hurting yourself?' Listen without judgment: avoid responses like 'Don't be dramatic' or 'Just get over it.' Instead, validate their feelings with 'That sounds really hard — I'm here for you.'
'Don't dismiss their pain: even if you don't understand why they feel that way, their emotions are real to them. Encourage professional help: let them know that talking to a psychologist or counsellor is not a sign of weakness, but it's a way to feel better,' she said.
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