BUILDING STRONGER FAMILIES: A KEY TO OVERCOMING SUICIDE AND MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES

By Moipone Matsapola.

• Secure Care Centres provide targeted programmes such as anti-suicide workshops, peer pressure management, and drug awareness, helping young people like Emelda* rebuild hope.
• Regular family visits and GDSD’s quarterly Family Day initiatives emphasise the importance of strong family bonds in children’s rehabilitation and reintegration.
• Experts highlight suicide warning signs and stress the need for parents to prioritise their mental health in order to provide better support for their children.

When one thinks of family, words like love, care, respect, and security come to mind. Sadly, for some children, family becomes the very source of trauma.

The pain and violations they endure at home can have lasting effects on their physical health, relationships, education, and life choices.
As Anthony Brandt once said, “Other things may change us, but we start and end with family.” For Emelda*, a 17-year-old girl, her journey of pain began with her family, and with hope and healing, it may end with them too.
Emelda* arrived at one of the Northern Corridor Secure Care Centres in July after being linked to an assault case involving gangsterism. Just three weeks later, she lost her grandmother, an event that triggered deep suicidal thoughts. Already battling guilt over her past choices, the loss intensified her despair.
Her struggles trace back even further. In 2023, she was raped by her uncle, a case still ongoing in court. Since then, Emelda* has been living with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for which she receives ongoing treatment. Her mother, overwhelmed with regret, admitted she wished she could have protected her daughter.
Despite these challenges, Emelda* is focused on her future. She dreams of becoming a paramedic and continues to look out for her younger sisters. “It is good for me to be here at the Centre. I attend peer pressure, drug abuse, and anti-suicidal programmes,” she shared.
Clinical Psychologist Zingqi Ntshobane explained that suicide typically follows three stages: thought, plan, and intent. She stressed that individuals experiencing mental or emotional distress are at higher risk, with up to 12% of psychiatric patients attempting suicide. Warning signs include openly discussing suicide, searching online for methods, and expressing feelings of being a burden.
Ntshobane highlighted the importance of parental well-being: “Being in optimum health helps you parent well and support your children effectively.”
Emelda* is currently undergoing a six-month diversion programme, receiving PTSD treatment, and attending school at the Centre. Family visits, though limited to one hour per day, are a vital source of emotional support. Her parents describe these visits as precious and look forward to them daily.
To further strengthen family bonds, the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD) hosts quarterly family day events as part of its Family Services Programme. In September, the programme was celebrated at the Soshanguve Secure Care Centre, reinforcing the Department’s commitment to reunifying children in conflict with the law with their families. Parents were also encouraged to establish Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) to share skills and promote corrective behaviour within their communities.
Through these initiatives, GDSD continues to nurture family stability, resilience, and stronger communities. For Emelda*, the Centre has become more than a place of rehabilitation, it is a source of care and hope. Her case manager and psychologist have noted remarkable progress, and if this continues, she may soon be reunified with her family and community.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available:
• SADAG: 0800 12 13 14
• Adcock Ingram Depression & Anxiety Helpline: 0800 70 80 90
• Lifeline South Africa: 0861 322 322