BuaNews (Tshwane)
Themba Gadebe
24 February 2006
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) says it has received an "overwhelming" response after launching a new SMS service for depressed teens.
The initiative coincides with Teen Suicide Prevention Week which started last Sunday and runs until this weekend. It's aim is to curb the high levels of teen suicide in the country
"We have been continuously receiving SMSs even after hours. Our consultants are quite busy answering teens from across the country. The response has been amazing and better than what we expected," Ms Heather McAlpine of the organisation said.
To cope with the demand, there are four volunteers and four permanent consultants for the day shift and two for the evening shift.
Suicide is said to account for nine percent of all teenage deaths in South Africa.
SADAG outreach coordinator, Lucette Mukendi said this was largely due to deaths in the family or broken families.
"It also comes in the form of chemical imbalance, say your mother had depression, chances are that you are going to have one as well. It works like cancer, it runs through the family," Ms Mukendi said.
She also noted that teens often considered suicide when they had problems in their love relationships.
This year's theme Suicide is not a secret is meant at emphasising that teens should not keep quiet about suicidal threats by their friends.
"More often you find that if teens plan to commit suicide, they communicate to their friends but ask them to keep it a secret.
"But our message to all teens is that rather speak out and lose the friendship. If you lose the friendship, chances are that you might mend it but you cannot have back a friend who committed suicide," Ms Mukendi said.
The new service allows teens in distress to reach SADAG by typing a message on their cellphones, and send it to 31393.
There are no key words or e-mail addresses needed and the service is open from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week, SADAG's spokesperson, Zane Wilson said.
The message comes directly to the SADAG call centre computers within seconds, and a skilled counselor replies to the message by typing a response into the computer.
"This service is a new and exciting way for teenagers around South Africa to reach out for help. Teenagers often prefer to communicate via sms, as they may feel uncomfortable expressing themselves verbally," noted Ms Wilson.
SADAG also assured that the facility was instant, and teens in crisis would never get a busy signal when they need help.
"The service is cheaper than a telephone call, as messages are charged at standard sms rates. In this way, teenagers around the country can get help, information and practical advice on how to deal with depression and suicidal feelings," SADAG said.
Teens can also request school talks and find mental health resources in their area.
However, the regular SADAG number: 011 783 1474 is still available at all times.
This new facility is available across all three cellphone networks as MTN, Vodacom and Cell C have welcomed the initiative and jointly agreed to support it.
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