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Wednesday, May 7, 2025

20% of surveyed Western Cape 14 and 15-year-olds attempted suicide over the past year

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In a recent study by Statistics SA, done on 14 and 15-year-olds in the Western Cape, at least 20%, or one in five, attempted suicide over the past year.

According to the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP), there has been a marked increase in mental health issues among young people.

SASOP says these issues had been aggravated by the isolation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and its associated lockdowns.

Board member at SASOP, Dr. Alicia Porter, says the failure in policies and proper implementation of these policies adds to the lack of mental health support services in the country.

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Porter says the demand far exceeds the resources that are available.

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Read the complete SASOP statement here.

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