A PhD student at Stellenbosch University (SU) is known to have recently committed suicide.
“Statistics indicate that suicide is now the second leading cause of death of individuals between the age group 18-24,” says Melt Hugo, SU SRC Student Wellness officer.
Charity Mkone, Clinical Psychologist and volunteer at the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) says suicide rates are highest amongst people between the ages of 15 and 29.
“There are 460 completed and attempted suicides daily in South Africa according to Sadag,” says Mkone.
Students are most at risk for suicide with statistics indicating that suicide is now the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 18 and 24. PHOTO: Cher Petersen
Hugo says students experience a peak in depression and anxiety between 8 pm and 1 am as well as during examination periods.
Hugo, in his role as the SRC Student Wellness officer and in a student-led Mental Health Task Team, has embarked on a fundraising campaign in order to create what is to be called SUNLine.
Hugo says the idea for SunLine came about because most students need assistance after hours. Additionally, because of the system of seeking help, students find it petrifying to walk through the doors of the Centre for Student Counseling and Development (CSCD) due to the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
“We are awaiting confirmation from CSCD because I want them to train our students,” says Hugo about where they are in the process.
“It’s going to be a confidential online student listening and support platform – by students for students. What I envisage is a team of student volunteers that have been trained by professionals,” says Hugo.
Mkone says it is important to raise awareness about suicide and how to help young people battling mental illness and suicidal ideation.
Mkone recommends that university centres deal with the cause of things as opposed to responding to the crisis. She expands further and says for a lot of the centres at universities – because of their structures and resources – they have to be creative around nipping the issues in the bud by targeting key areas of struggle for students.
If this article has raised issues for you or if you are concerned about someone you know, contact the CSCD’s 24-hour crisis service on 082 557 0880 or book an appointment with a licensed psychologist on 021 808 4994.
You can also call the Suicide Crisis Line on 0800 567 567 or the Sadag Mental Health Line on 011 234 4837 to speak to a trained counsellor who can assist.
This article has been edited since its initial publication in order to portray the issue in question in a more sensitive manner.