PODCAST: Breaking the silence around suicide
Parbhoo-Seetha said Sadag receives between 2 500 and 3 000 calls a day, with one in four being serious suicide-related calls.
On Thursday, 10 September, South Africa observed World Suicide Prevention Day, prompting the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) to advocate for more open dialogue surrounding suicide and mental health. The Citizen interviewed Sadag's project manager for education, Roshni Parbhoo-Seetha, who stated that the stigma surrounding mental health conditions often deters individuals from seeking assistance.
Parbhoo-Seetha expressed that many people are apprehensive about disclosing their struggles due to fear of judgment or being perceived as weak. She emphasized that World Suicide Prevention Day serves as a platform to "shine a light" on a topic many individuals shy away from discussing.
In response to the query, "How are you?" Parbhoo-Seetha urged people to not only ask the question but to also take the time to attentively listen to the response. She pointed out that individuals grappling with suicidal thoughts or mental health challenges may be concurrently facing multiple pressures, such as financial hardships at home, academic stress, familial conflicts, and bullying. She provided an example of children dealing with a combination of these issues, which can perpetuate an "ongoing cycle".
Sadag receives between 2,500 and 3,000 calls daily at its call center, with approximately one in four being directly related to serious suicide attempts. Parbhoo-Seetha highlighted that South Africa experiences an estimated 23 completed suicides daily, cautioning that suicide statistics are not always accurately reported. She underscored that talking about suicide can help people recognize the availability of support and that suicide should not be considered as the ultimate solution to one's problems.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
