Page 29 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 8 2024

HEALTH MATTERS

subjects even harder to approach. A lack of
parental supervision is harmful, with most
teens feeling they would relate better to a
parent than a grandparent or aunt.
The poverty and hardships they face often
make matters worse. Like all teenagers,
they want to look a certain way or dress
fashionably, but with a lack of resources
this is not always possible, leading to
comparisons which affect their sense of
self-worth.
Social media only seems to exacerbate
issues like this, as the ‘like’ button has an
emotional impact and seeking validation
through social platforms is treacherous
ground for young people still trying to
come to grips with their feelings.
ASKING FOR HELP
Lekana says that although most teens
don’t feel comfortable asking for help,
many of them will unconsciously be
he 2016 Lancet Commission non-profit organisation mandated to create seeking it through their behaviour. She
on Adolescent Health positive change by providing a Christian warns that a teen who has withdrawn and
and Wellbeing highlights education and training for black women wants to spend most of their time alone
that adolescence is a to become teachers in the early childhood or in their room, is in trouble. In addition
crucial period for realising development sector. to bottling up emotions, teenagers
Thuman potential. During who constantly belittle themselves and
this volatile time, the brain undergoes In 2010, The Love Trust opened a school have negative comments about others,
rapid development and changes, and in Midrand and has been providing including their families, may need help.
interactions with social environments a haven for its learners ever since. It
significantly shape the abilities that young oversees every aspect of their wellbeing, Lekana is put in touch with learners who
people carry into adulthood. with the inclusion of a social worker are struggling, when this is recognised
to ensure that their psycho-social by teachers in the classroom but often
Many medical experts predicted that development is catered for. met with resistance by the teen’s family.
post-Covid 19, the next health crisis would She says the biggest hurdle when
relate to mental health and that prediction Elsie Lekana is the resident social worker communicating with family members can
seems to have been spot on. SADAG, the for the Nokuphila School, working between be the general lack of knowledge about
South African Depression and Anxiety the educators, learners, their parents and mental illness, with older generations
Group, has confirmed that teen suicide is the local community to ensure that teens not understanding the emotional and
on the increase and becoming more and who are not coping or need additional psychological part of what she is trying
ADDRESSING THE RISE IN more common. A worrying statistic is that care and support are given just that. to explain to them. ‘Soldiering on’ is not
suicide accounts for 9% of all teen deaths
always healthy but sometimes expected
Her role is critical and she has formed a
in South Africa.
network between the organisations she
cultural myths sometimes leave teens
represents and local counselling and of the younger generation. In addition,
Whilst some may experience difficult support services. She works with current feeling hurt and misunderstood.
periods, depression is not as simply students as well as alumni from the school
shifted and can be extremely dangerous through their Saturday classes, and is While the subject of depression and suicide
if left undiagnosed. Up to one third privy to the pressures and hardships faced can be disheartening, it is comforting to
of all suicide victims have attempted by teenagers in the township. know that organisations are constantly
suicide previously and the best way working to change perceptions and educate
of improving this situation is to gain a She says that while many teens experience others about mental health issues. The
good understanding of recognising the the dangers of peer pressure, with sooner the stigma that surrounds them is
symptoms of depression amongst them. depression it is more often than not a removed, the more people can be helped to
There are tools at our disposal to help sense of displacement and a feeling of lead fulfilling lives.
combat this crisis. being misunderstood that leaves them with
more severe mood imbalances. Many of Lekana also has close ties with the Valued
THE LOVE TRUST the students she deals with feel they do Citizens initiative, and believes that this
Leading the charge is The Love Trust, a not have a person they can lean on, or a will go a long way towards paving a path
safe space. In some cases, they live with to healing. She believes that school-led
an older relative who is not a parent or in workshops for parents, with informative
extreme cases, they are themselves the sessions on recognising and aiding young
head of a child-led household. The age people battling with depression, will be a
gap, or lack of a close bond, makes difficult game changer.

C ONT A CT DET AILS
If you or anyone you know needs help, please visit
https://sadag.org
Web address: www.lovetrust.co.za

26 DPL issue 7 2024
DPL issue 8 2024 27
26 DPL issue 8 2024 Kyalami Estates • CONNECT • Issue 2 • 2024