{"id":47508,"date":"2024-03-06T12:14:53","date_gmt":"2024-03-06T10:14:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/teen-suicide-numbers-soar-20240305-2\/"},"modified":"2025-03-19T23:45:13","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T21:45:13","slug":"teen-suicide-numbers-soar-20240305-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/teen-suicide-numbers-soar-20240305-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Teen suicide numbers soar"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Every year, thousands of teens commit suicide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pressures facing today\u2019s generation of adolescents and young adults are taking a toll on their mental health, increasing the risk of drug addiction and suicide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEven in the best of circumstances, adolescence and the transition from childhood to adulthood is a vulnerable phase of development,\u201d says Dr Kavendren Odayar, a psychiatrist practising at Netcare Akeso Gqeberha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teen Suicide Prevention Week was marked across the country earlier in February and experts have spoken out about the necessity of looking after mental health and finding healthy ways to navigate challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Global research indicates that encouraging and practising wellness in teen years can help young people flourish and improve the quality of their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAlthough speaking to children or adolescents about mental health challenges may evoke discomfort at times, it remains imperative to regularly acknowledge and engage them in conversation pertaining to their mental health, their challenges and their overall well-being,\u201d says Western Cape Government Health and Wellness youth mental health counsellor, Zelah Dodgen, who works with young people in Ravensmead, Ruyterwacht and Elsies River. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDoing this encourages and fosters open, non-judgmental and ongoing dialogue to discuss and address stressors in their lives, explore adaptive coping skills, as well as promotes health-seeking behaviour.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preventative measures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dodgen stresses the importance of preventative measures, such as healthy living and listening to young people to protect their wellbeing. \u201cNo individual is immune to life\u2019s stressors. This applies to our young people as well. This is why young children and adolescents need to be attentively listened to \u2013 what they say and don\u2019t say \u2013 and their experiences validated. We all have a collective duty to normalise speaking about mental wellness and challenges within our homes, schools and communities. Mental wellness challenges are nothing to be ashamed of, neither is talking about it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding the science behind teen suicide can help us in addressing and preventing challenges our teenagers may be facing, experts at Sadag say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere\u2019s this association that depression is sadness, but only about 20% of teens with depression will actually say they feel sad,\u201d explains psychiatrist Dr Terri Henderson. She elaborates: \u201cThe majority report feeling empty, feeling nothing, and also very prominent is experiencing profound negative thoughts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some ways that teens can improve mental, emotional and physical wellness. This guide, approved by our health experts, can be used by young people or parents raising youth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find healthy coping skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Find out what works to help you or your teen to cope. Whether you\u2019re feeling stressed or anxious or you\u2019re learning how to care for yourself, there are ways to deal with your feelings without harming yourself. This includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n