The Critical Need for Youth Support in South Africa

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The statistics surrounding youth mental health in South Africa are profoundly alarming. The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) highlights a severe crisis, estimating that 23 people die by suicide every day in our country. While specific figures can fluctuate, reports from the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicate that teen suicide rates are estimated at 9% per 100,000 population amongst 15–19-year-olds in South Africa. Moreover, suicide ranks as the second leading, and fastest-growing, cause of death for the 15-24 age group. Disturbingly, children as young as seven have taken their own lives in South Africa. This escalating trend compels us to ask: why?

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Globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that mental health conditions – including childhood epilepsy, developmental disabilities, depression, anxiety, and behavioural disorders – are significant contributors to illness and disability among young people. Approximately one in seven (14.3%) 10-19-year-olds worldwide experience a mental health condition, yet a substantial majority do not seek or receive the necessary care. It is a stark reality that half of all mental health conditions begin by 14 years of age, and suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15-19-year-olds globally. Failing to address the mental health and psychosocial development of children and adolescents can have far-reaching consequences into adulthood, limiting their opportunities for leading fulfilling lives. The WHO actively encourages initiatives for the prevention of mental health conditions and the provision of mental health care for children, adolescents, and their families.

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#PROJECTSCHOOLS has been founded in direct response to this evident and urgent need within the youth of our country. Our founder, Gerhard de Jager, began his career as a youth worker at Bellville High School. He personally witnessed and experienced the profound positive impact that a dedicated youth worker can have on students affected by emotional and mental issues. Access to, and a consistent relationship with, a youth worker played a crucial role in the early identification of these challenges. The impact of bullying, fractured relationships or rejection, extreme stress and anxiety, or difficult family problems are all examples of factors that can contribute to emotional and mental issues, potentially causing irreversible damage to young people's lives and, tragically, even leading to drastic steps like suicide. It is precisely for this reason that #Projectschools developed a model centred around placing a youth worker in every school, enabling us to promptly identify and respond to early signs of emotional and mental issues among students.