The loss of two local teens to suicide right ahead of Teen Suicide Prevention Week has again highlighted the need for urgent monitoring and intervention.
With Teen Suicide Prevention week observed between 21 and 28 February, the tragic loss of 14-year-old Niyaaz Smith to suicide on Wednesday 19 February has sent shockwaves through the greater communities, prompting around 100 locals to join a peaceful picket outside Spine Road High School on Thursday 20 February as the school dismissed for the day. Social media posts spreading several allegations around the potential cause for his death were widely shared, including him being bullied by learners, bullied by a teacher, asked to remove traditional religious head wear and leaving a letter naming his alleged bullies.
Bronagh Hammond, provincial education department spokesperson confirms the department was notified of the death of the Grade 9 learner and urged caution amid speculations.
“Our condolences to the family, friends and the school community for their loss.
“Counselling support has been offered to the school. We are concerned, however, about the various stories speculating what led to this incident. Various allegations are being put out on social media,” says Hammond.
“The school, however, has confirmed that there has been no previous reports of bullying involving the learner at the school. The school also confirmed that on Tuesday, the learner came to school wearing a fez for the first time. The school does allow for cultural and religious accommodations to the school’s uniform policy. Parents are to apply for such an accommodation. No application has been received for the learner.”
TygerBurger observed this policy in implementation, with girls wearing full religious headdresses and modest floor-length school dresses with the school badge.
“It is not clear if any of the above allegations are related at all to the incident. The WCED is investigating but also asks that we do not speculate until such information is confirmed. We appeal to the public to remember that a family and school community is grieving a terrible loss, and allow them the space to do so with respect and dignity, without disruption,” says Hammond.
Call to action
With around 100 residents and members of various political parties and community action groups joining the peaceful picket on Thursday, they were joined by learners in calling for an end to bullying and justice for Niyaaz.
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) says teen suicide is becoming more common every year in South Africa, with only car accidents and murder resulting in more teen deaths. In South Africa 9% of all teen deaths are caused by suicide. The fastest growing age is young people under 35, specifically female suicides which peak between 15 and 19 years.
“Research indicates that although more females attempt suicide, more males succeed. This is due to the more violent nature males select. Girls are more likely to overdose on medication, or take chemicals, whereas boys often find access to firearms or hang themselves,” says the organisation in a statement.
“There is a major link between depression and suicide. Most of the time teen depression is a passing mood. Sadness, loneliness, grief and disappointments we all feel at times, and are normal reactions to life’s struggles. However, undiagnosed depression can lead to tragedy. Up to one third of all suicide victims had attempted suicide previously.”
While unconfirmed bullying was the alleged cause of this incident, bullying undeniably is a leading cause for depression among young children.
Bullying intervention
Joanne Muller, a human rights co-ordinator for the Mitchells Plain Community Advice and Development Project, says the organisation has anti-bullying campaigns running at 20 local primary schools, but recognises the need for teen intervention as well.
“This is one of the best high schools in Mitchells Plain, so when a child comes to a school like this, we feel that the child’s future is secured, and for something like this to happen at one of our best schools, shows that there is a huge problem,” she says.
“We need to realise that yes, they need education, but not to put so much pressure on their kids. So for us, that is why we came to support the parents, but not just the parents, we show the community that there is something they need to do. The children get pressure from home to do well, and then they get pressure from school to do well, and sometimes you just have to let your children have a break.”
Sadag mans the National Toll Free Suicide Crisis Line which takes a huge number of calls from teens who are calling for themselves or on behalf of a friend.
Zane Wilson, founder of Sadag, says: “It is not hard to see why serious depression and suicide are connected. Depression involves a long lasting sad mood that doesn’t let up and a loss of pleasure in things you once enjoyed. It involves thoughts about death, negative thoughts about oneself, a sense of worthlessness. We get calls ranging from a teen girl of 15 who has been constantly abused by her stepfather, a boy who has lost his elder brother due to gang violence and a child of 12 whose mother has recently died of Aids, sometimes they feel there is nothing to look forward to or that life would be less painful if they were to end it.”
Signs of depression
- Loss of interest in things you like to do.
- Sadness that won’t go away.
- Irritability or feeling angry a lot.
- Feeling guilty or hopeless.
- Not enjoying things you once liked.
- Feeling tense or worrying a lot.
- Crying a lot.
- Spending a lot of time alone.
- Eating too much or too little.
- Sleeping too much or too little.
- Having low energy or restless feelings.
- Feeling tired a lot.
- Missing school a lot.
- Hard time making decisions.
- Having trouble thinking or paying attention.
- Thinking of dying or killing yourself.
If you, or someone you know is suffering from depression or suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 082 787 6542.
