A team of psychologists in KwaZulu-Natal has been tasked to deal with ”stressed” matriculants when they receive their results, the provincial department of education said on Thursday.
”The department is concerned that there has been an increase in attempted and successful suicides by learners and reports suggest that this is likely to increase in the next few months,” spokesperson Chris Maxon said.
He said the extended public-sector strike may have also have had an impact on pupils being put under ”immense pressure for the examinations”.
Maxon said the team would provide counselling services over the telephone to all pupils, their parents and teachers during officials hours on a toll free number (0800 005 133).
”Suicide is a serious public-health problem that affects young people. About one third of the reported cases of suicidal behaviour in South Africa involves children and adolescents,” he said.
”Statistics revealed a grave situation with estimates of up to 9,5% of unnatural deaths of children and adolescents being the result of suicidal behaviour.”
He said the department was confident this new programme would also create awareness among the youth.
”Parents, educators and learners will be educated on the early recognition of the signs and symptoms suggestive of a distressed teenager who is potentially at risk for suicide.” – Sapa