This Teen Suicide Prevention Week, the South African Federation for Mental Health encourages struggling teens to practice self-love techniques when times get tough.
South Africa (18 February 2022) – The week of Valentine’s (14th to 17th February) is also Teen Suicide Prevention Week in South Africa. The South African Federation for Mental Health (SAFMH) hopes that more lives can be saved by having difficult conversations.
This year SAFMH is standing with the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) and the National Department of Health to create awareness about how we can all help support a young person who might be struggling.
The awareness week kicks off at the start of the academic year to encourage conversations that will lead to support from parents, teachers and mentors throughout the year. While the official week may be over by the time we publish this article, the importance of the conversation will never end.
This year, South African mental health leaders have shared ways to help teens through their most challenging times.
Practice Self-Love
“This year we want to encourage you all to practice some self-love.
Self-love is the act of valuing your own well-being and overall happiness, which means it is also a good practice of mental well-being. We also want to emphasise that even if it feels like the smallest worry or silliest thing to feel stressed about, bottling up your emotions is only going to make you feel worse. It doesn’t matter if it’s family, friends, colleagues or teachers that you reach out to, talking about your feelings is a simple act of self-love that can leave you feeling a whole lot happier” – The South African Federation for Mental Health
Self-care is the practice of loving yourself. This can be done in various ways, all of which have massive benefits for your mental health.
- Instead of pointing out your faults, remind yourself on a daily basis how awesome you are! Our challenge to you today is to find one good thing about yourself! And then do that every day until it becomes a habit.
- Do a little bit of exercise, even if it is on the couch! Have you heard of couch potato yoga??? We have; here is a link to help you out. Or, if you want to do full-blown yoga, this site has the best at home videos that are targeted to all kinds of issues, from anxiety to bad knees.
- Look at your never-ending to-do list and commit to doing one of the things on it that have been there far longer than it should. Then put that list away and relax for a few minutes. Commit yourself to one item a day instead of trying to do everything in one day.
- Declutter a space that makes you feel stressed. You may find things you forgot you had and can develop a new appreciation for, or you could find something that a charity could use.
- Volunteer your time. Helping others can give a serious boost to your own wellbeing as well. It is a win-win for both parties.
- Unfollow negative family and friends from social media.
- Take in nature. Go for a walk, sit quietly on the beach or listen to the rain falling on your rooftop. It is as easy as that.
- Dance your face off! Put your favourite songs on and dance around your room. Nobody is watching.
- Take a long relaxing bath. Light a candle, sit back and just chill.
- Massage your own feet. Before bed is the best time too because it is so relaxing.
- Add some healthy alternatives to your diet.
- Embrace nap time. It isn’t only for the kiddies.
- Ask someone for help. Put your pride aside and ask someone else to help, even if you feel fully capable.
- Hugs always win—even self-hugs.
How to Help Struggling Teens
SAFMH shared a helpful list adapted from SADAG’s list for ways parents, friends, fellow students and teachers can help a teen at risk.
- If you notice any concerning behavioural changes or warning signs, ask your loved one what is troubling them.
- Be a willing and active listener and allow expressions of feelings. There is nothing shameful about a person saying they are not coping, feeling unwell, or speaking about suicide. Do not shy away from talking about this.
- Be non-judgemental. Do not debate whether suicide is right or wrong or whether their feelings are good or bad. In the moment, it is most important to let the person know that you care and let them know that they are not alone. Never say, “You have so much to live for”, or that “suicide will hurt your family”.
- Do not be sworn to secrecy. Seek support.
- If there is an immediate danger of suicide, do not leave your loved one alone. Get help from persons specialising in crisis intervention or take the person to their nearest clinic. If necessary, get in touch with the police.
If you or your loved one is feeling hopeless and/or having suicidal thoughts, please call the SADAG Suicide Crisis Line on 0800 567 567 or SMS 31393. These numbers are free, and counselling is available in all 11 official languages. If you are looking for online resources, you can find them on both the SAFMH and SADAG websites.