Talking about Teen Suicide Prevention Saves Lives RealConvo
This year, for Teen Suicide Prevention Week (14 – 21 February 2022), The South African Depression and Anxiety Group is helping parents, teachers and the community by sharing information on how to have difficult conversations around Teen Depression and Suicide Prevention. According to experts, teens are the most at-risk age group for Suicide in South Africa.
The most at-risk age group for suicide in South Africa are adolescents, and recently we are hearing about more and more teen suicides in the press all around the country. The need to talk more about Teen Suicide as it is important to help parents, teachers and our communities to identify the risk in our teens early. We need to empower them to have real conversations about issues that teens are dealing with, and help get them the urgent help they need. Talking about Teen Suicide Prevention saves lives. One teen suicide is one too many.
Teen Suicide Prevention Week Toolkit
Talking about Suicide Prevention, especially Teen Suicide, is often taboo, too hard, difficult and awkward. The fear of saying the wrong thing, or “planting the seed” is often what parents and teachers tell SADAG. SADAG wants to help parents and teachers on how to have #RealConvo’s with their teen or learners.
Throughout the week, SADAG will be launching an online campaign called #RealConvo’s sharing important conversation starters, helpful tips on what to say and what not to say, sharing expert videos, and resources on how to talk about Teen Suicide Prevention. You don’t need special training to have an open, authentic genuine conversation about mental health. Often, just talking about it can be the first important step in staying connected.
