According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), over 700 000 people die by suicide globally each year. And for every one suicide, there are an estimated 20 suicide attempts with many more having serious thoughts of suicide. South African men are four times more likely to die by suicide than women, and the most at-risk age group in the country is adolescents.
Over the last few months, we’ve seen headlines of death by suicide of young teenagers, popular celebrities, students, fathers, sons, best friends and grandchildren. Zamo Mbele, Clinical Psychologist and SADAG Board Deputy Chairperson says, “Suicide does not discriminate, it affects all ages, races, genders and socio-economic backgrounds. Suicide is happening within our families, affecting campuses and schools, and impacting communities across the country. Even one suicide, is one too many.”
For World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September) this year, SADAG is encouraging people to have #BraveConversations to create more safe spaces to talk about Suicide Prevention. Talking about Suicide Prevention can literally save a life and that could be your child, partner, colleague, friend or brother. Talking about suicide is prevention. There’s still a lot of stigma and fear around Suicide making people afraid if they talk about Suicide, it could “plant the seed” or cause someone to take their own life. By normalising conversations around Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, we make it more comfortable to talk about these important issues at home, around the dinner table, at work, or to friends.
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“Talking about Depression and Suicide creates an opportunity to discuss feelings and thoughts that might have otherwise remain hidden. Global research shows talking about Suicide DOES NOT cause Suicide, rather NOT talking about it can lead thoughts of Suicide into actions,” says SADAG’s Operations Director, Cassey Chambers.
Learning about how to have these conversations, what to say and what not to say, and how to talk about Suicide Prevention is the focus of SADAG’s #BraveConversations September campaign. Throughout the month, SADAG will be creating safe spaces online, through social media platforms and webinar sessions to help unpack some of the key issues such as what to do in a Suicide crisis, how to put together a Suicide Safety Plan, practical ways to talk about Suicide Prevention, and how to get help.
Join us on the various online platforms to be part of the #BraveConversations discussions:
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Weekly Facebook Friday online Q&A LIVE videos every Friday at 1pm on the SADAG Facebook page (@TheSADAG) with experts tackling issues outlined above plusdealing with grief and loss after a loved one’s Suicide, and Support Groups. The 4-part series will start on Friday the 9th September and run until the 30th September.
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A 3-part series on Twitterspaces (@TheSADAG) every Wednesday at 7pm with panelists discussing LGBTQI+ Youth and Suicide (14 September), the role of Social Media and Suicide Prevention (21 September), and breaking down the Suicide risks amongst Students in South Africa (28 September).
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SADAG Webinar on Thursday, 15 September, at 7pm with Experts discussing a Suicide Safety Plan to help anyone in a mental health crisis. FREE Registration https://bit.ly/3KQgyXo
SADAG has also uploaded an online toolkit including key information on warning signs, posters for your class, work or community noticeboard, brochures on adult and teen suicide prevention, online expert videos, debunking myths and Suicide language guidelines. All of this information is available via the SADAG website www.sadag.org.
Contact SADAG’s 24 hour tollfree Suicide Crisis Helpline 0800 567 567, open 7 days a week, every single day of the year, or sms 31393 and a counsellor will call back, or whatsapp 087 163 2030 (8am – 5pm, 7 days a week) to chat LIVE to a SADAG Counsellor for free help.
