Having struggled with difficult home circumstances, bullying, and long-term mental health issues, Jason Filander (19) from Scottsdene High matriculated against all odds.
Filander last week received a special ministerial award from education minister Debbie Schäfer at the Western Cape 2021 National Senior Certificate Awards held at Leeuwenhof.
This honour is bestowed annually on those matriculants who succeeded despite facing challenging circumstances.
“Mental health problems can be just as hard to overcome as physical injuries are, yet are sometimes treated as insignificant, or certainly of lesser significance – despite their ability to seriously affect a learner’s well-being,” said minister Schäfer.
“Jason has travelled a tough road to matric. On three occasions, his condition was serious enough for him to try to commit suicide. Thankfully, he was not successful, and after his school became aware of the situation, his principal helped him get the help he needed,” she says adding that this speaks volumes for the role that schools play in supporting learners during difficult times.
When his mom passed away in 2020, Jason was able to draw strength and inspiration from her life.
From then onward he started to thrive.
He wrote his NSC exams in 2021 and achieved a Bachelor’s pass with a distinction in history, and now hopes to study teaching.
Jason says he wants his story to be one of hope, and encourages other learners not to keep quiet if they have problems, because they do not have to suffer in silence.
Jason told TygerBurger that he is on cloud nine, for having received this award.
“I feel very honoured and totally surprised. I did not expect to receive any award.
“Depression isolates a person and being alone makes it even worse. Don’t be silent, speak out and get help. If it was not for my principal Mr Peter Links I would not have received the help I needed.”
Jason says the talk therapy he received took a massive load off his shoulders.
“Being able to speak about my feelings and problems made a big difference. When you are depressed it feels as if you will never be better, but that is not the case. You can overcome and there is hope,” says Jason.
Going into 2022, Jason plans to study a degree in teaching at the University of Stellenbosch.
Jason received R10 000 and a certificate.
