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By Sisonke Mlamla 
2h ago
Cape Town – Calls have increased for the government to equip teachers to identify depression and implement suicide prevention for students before it is too late.
This after the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) expressed shock at the news of two 11th grade girls at La Rochelle High School who allegedly committed suicide last week.
Jade Gouws, 17, died Wednesday night at her family’s home in Drakenstein, while Zara Malherbe, 17, died Friday afternoon.
Education MEC Debbie Schäfer said that counseling had been organized and that the school was being supported by WCED, adding that it was tragic that people got to the point where they saw no alternative but to end their lives.
The director of operations for the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag), Cassey Chambers, said that suicide was a growing concern and that there should be an ongoing conversation about adolescent suicide by equipping those who interacted with adolescents, “giving them practical tips and tools for teachers on how and talking about teen depression and suicide can help save the lives of many students who may be depressed. “
Chambers said they had already seen recent reports of children as young as 12 who died by suicide.
Education activist Hendrick Makaneta said that Covid-19 had also created an inadequate preparation challenge among students. For that reason, the government should find a way to equip teachers or send social workers to schools to help track down students who show signs of suicide.
“We have already lost several students as a result of suicide and the situation, if left unaddressed, could further escalate as the testing period continues,” Makaneta said.
Sadag’s health activist and board member Dr. Sindi van Zyl said that teachers played an important role in suicide prevention: they had daily contact with many young people and could notice what students were saying, doing and they wrote.
Van Zyl said that some students felt more comfortable opening up and sharing their problems with their teachers rather than with their parents or friends.
“Therefore, training teachers to identify the warning signs, how to talk to teens about depression and suicide, and what to do to get help for a student who is suicidal or at risk is crucial to preventing suicide. “, said.
Schäfer urged students struggling to cope with the emotional situation to contact their teachers who can help them get the help they need, or to call the safe schools hotline: 0800 45 46 47.
Sadag said if you are not sure what to do or where to go, call the Sadag Suicide Helpline (24 hours) 0800 567 567 or SMS 31393 which offers free phone counseling, crisis intervention, information and referrals throughout the country.
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