The South African Society of Psychiatrists says there has been a worrying increase in mental health issues among young people, which was aggravated by the isolation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and its associated lockdowns. In a recent study by Statistics SA, they found that one in five Western Cape teenagers, between the ages of 14 and 15, attempted suicide over the past year. 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.