Page 12 - Irene Issue 10 2024

Teenage Health Focus

ADDRESSING THE RISE

IN TEEN DEPRESSION

The youth of today face their own

set of challenges, specific to their
generation. Whilst teenagers may
be perennially misunderstood, the
alarming rise in depression and

anxiety-related mood disorders tells
us that we need to take collective
action in order to help them.

he 2016 Lancet Commission periods, depression is not as simply since. It oversees every aspect of their
on Adolescent Health and shifted and can be extremely dangerous wellbeing, with the inclusion of a social
TWellbeing highlights that if left undiagnosed. Up to one third worker to ensure that their psycho-
adolescence is a crucial period for of all suicide victims have attempted social development is catered for.
realising human potential. During suicide previously and the best way Elsie Lekana is the resident social
this volatile time, the brain undergoes of improving this situation is to gain a worker for the Nokuphila School,
rapid development and changes, and good understanding of recognising the working between the educators,
interactions with social environments symptoms of depression amongst them. learners, their parents and the local
significantly shape the abilities that There are tools at our disposal to help community to ensure that teens who
young people carry into adulthood. combat this crisis.
Many medical experts predicted that
post-Covid 19, the next health crisis The Love Trust
would relate to mental health and that Leading the charge is The Love Trust, a
prediction seems to have been spot on. non-profit organisation mandated to
SADAG, the South African Depression create positive change by providing
and Anxiety Group, has confirmed that a Christian education and training for
teen suicide is on the increase and black women to become teachers in the
becoming more and more common. A early childhood development sector.
worrying statistic is that suicide accounts In 2010, The Love Trust opened
for 9% of all teen deaths in South Africa. a school in Midrand and has been
Whilst some may experience difficult providing a haven for its learners ever

10 • Issue 10 2024 • The Villager