SADAG Teen Suicide Prevention Program at Ponelopele School

With one in 5 of South African youth attempting suicide, this is a major problem, particularly as Depression is not understood or recognized by much of the population and particularly the youth.
SADAG (The South African Depression and Anxiety Group) has many years of experience in this field with a recognized schools program which is managed at minimal cost, but still relies on a variety of sponsors as the Government repeatedly cuts spending on mental health.

A Team of Counselors from SADAG visited a school in MidRand (between Johannesburg and Pretoria) and met with 1150 students in their classrooms.
Besides the presentations and the classroom discussion/Q&A, all students were given wrist bands with the toll free help line number. We also donated a supply of Speaking Books, “Suicide Shouldn’t Be a Secret” for the school as a leave behind to reinforce the messages and education given by the counselors.