A Message of Hope to Our Youth
September is Suicide Prevention Month
September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time when we pause to raise awareness, encourage conversations and remind those who may be struggling that YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
As a mother, a nurse and an advocate for Mental Health in South Africa, I have witnessed both the incredible resilience and the silent suffering that many young people carry. The Youth of today face pressures that previous generations could never have imagined. Social media comparisons, academic expectations, unemployment challenges, family hardships, and uncertainty about the future can create an overwhelming sense of isolation.
The reality is that suicide remains a major public health concern in South Africa. According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), approximately 23 South Africans die by suicide every day, and for every suicide, there are many more attempts. SADAG has also highlighted that suicide is one of the leading causes of death among young people aged 15 to 24, making it a crisis that demands our collective attention and action.
To Every Young Person Reading This: YOUR LIFE MATTERS!
You do not have to carry your struggles alone. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It is one of the bravest things you can do. There is strength is speaking up. Whether it is to a parent, a friend, a teacher, a healthcare professional or a trusted mentor.
As a nurse, I have learned that emotional pain is just as real as physical pain. We would never expect someone with a broken arm to simply “get over it” and the same applies to mental health challenges. Anxiety, depression, hopelessness and despair deserve understanding, support and professional care.
As a mother, I want you to know that your presence in this world has meaning. Even on the days when you cannot see your worth, there are people whose lives are brighter because you are part of them. Your story is still being written, and the chapter you are in right now is not the end of the book.
As South Africans, we have overcome tremendous challenges as a nation. Our strength lies in community, compassion and the spirit of Ubuntu: I am because we are.
Let us look out for one another, check in on our friends, listen without judgement and create safe spaces where young people fee heard and valued.
This Suicide Prevention Month, my message is simple: CHOOSE HOPE. REACH OUT. SPEAK UP. STAY CONNECTED.
You are loved. You are needed. You are enough.
And more importantly, YOU ARE NEVER ALONE.
If you or someone is struggling, please remember that help is available. You can reach out on the Mondia Health Helpline 076 509 4001; SADAG: 0800 567 567
By Varsha Pillay
Facility Manager; Registered Nurse; Mum; Mental Health Advocate