Mental health, a topic that is now being tackled which covers many aspects. At a school level, some learners are faced with challenges that can be academic, personal or caused by social ills. Some of the experiences they come across, can sometimes lead to an unhealthy mental state.
The Department of Basic Education’s spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga, stated in an opinion piece that there are numerous reasons why learners in South Africa do not reach Grade 12. He highlighted statistics released by the South African Police Service (SAPS), show that at least 352 children were murdered from October to December 2021, 394 had survived attempted murder and 2,048 children were victims of physical abuse. According to Mhlanga, school learners take a break from school to recover mentally and physically from the trauma of the events.
“We also have a suicide crisis. In October 2023, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) reported that 9% of teenage deaths were suicides,” he said.
Sibongile Monareng, the Basic Education Psychosocial Support Director, said that psychosocial support has become a critical issue that needs to be understood. She outlined it to be a support system that ensures that individuals are well emotionally, psychologically and spiritually.
“It is very important for us as the sector to ensure that we provide services that support our learners psychologically,” she said.
Project Coordinator of SADAG, Roshni Parbhoo-Seetha, said that a healthy mental state, both at home and school, is crucial for the overall well-being of children. She said that both parents, teachers and the community play an important role in supporting a child’s mental health.
“Ensuring learners are in a healthy mental state at home and school is crucial for their overall well-being and academic success. Parents and teachers play vital roles in supporting mental health,” she said.
Parbhoo-Seetha says SADAG emphasizes the importance of fostering a positive environment, open communication and speaking freely about mental health. They also encourage parents and teachers to motivate learners to find and have coping mechanisms if they feel overwhelmed and to seek professional help.