November 1, 2007
By JoNews Reporter
JOHANNESBURG Junior Mayor Thandeka Shongwe and members of the Johannesburg Student Council attended a function at the Roodepoort City Hall on 26 October. District officials, principals, teachers, parents and learners from various schools also attended.
The function showcased the cultural diversity of the district as well as the achievements the various schools have made.
In her address, Shongwe spoke about teenage suicides, an ongoing problem in schools across the city. She focused on why teens attempted suicide and their warning signs.
Research had shown that teenagers attempting suicide did so for a variety of reasons, she said. These included:
- Trying to escape from a situation that seemed impossible to deal with or to get relief from bad thoughts or feelings;
- Trying to escape feelings of rejection, hurt or loss;
- They might be angry, ashamed or guilty about something;
- Worries about disappointing friends or family members; and
- Feeling unwanted, unloved, victimised or that they are a burden to others.
Referring to the warning signs to look for, she said parents, friends and teachers should be alert if teens:
- Talked about suicide or death;
- Talked about going away;
- Referred to things they would not be needing and gave away possessions;
- Talked about feeling hopeless or feeling guilty;
- Pulled away from friends or family and lost the desire to go out;
- Had no desire to take part in favourite activities;
- Had trouble concentrating or thinking clearly;
- Experienced changes in eating or sleeping habits; or
- Engaged in self-destructive behaviour (drinking, taking drugs, cutting and so on).
Shongwe shared some thoughts on depression and advised teens who were depressed to get help immediately - she warned them not to wait in hope that their mood might improve. They were encouraged to talk to someone they trusted, such as a parent, coach, relative, school councillor, religious leader, teacher or a suicide crisis line.
Depression was an overwhelming feeling and sufferers focused mostly on their failures and disappointments.
"They overemphasize the negative side of their situation and downplay their own capabilities or worth. Depressed people don't realise that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Teens see no other escape and in this state of distorted thinking see suicide as a solution."
Shongwe pointed out that teens were living with exam stress at present, and then faced the anxious wait before the results were announced.
"This is an extremely tense and stressful period for us as it seems as if our future hinges on the results of our exams. We have to be able to view this in its proper perspective. Yes, the successful completion of the exams is important.
"Failure, however, is not the end. It is just an obstacle along the path to success … Failure is a mere hiccup and once overcome adds to the lessons of life," she added.
Help was readily available and Shongwe urged teenagers to look for alternative ways to dealing with their problems, rather than attempting suicide.
"Remember nothing is ever as bad as it might seem. Think positive, stay positive and don't do drugs," she concluded.
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