In a collaborative effort to address suicide and mental health, the Phoenix Child Welfare (PCW), Sahara Shelter, and JMN Consulting recently hosted an art therapy workshop. The event, held on Saturday, 13 September, at the Sahara Shelter, was a timely initiative as September is recognised as World Suicide Prevention Month.
Leenie Gounder, a senior social worker at the PCW, stressed that this month serves as a crucial reminder to pay attention to those around us. “It’s about showing empathy, listening without judgment and letting people know they are not alone. It’s not just about awareness but it’s also about taking action, to check in on our loved ones, and to be present for each other. Compassion, understanding, and genuine connection can save lives,” she said.
She added that as an organisation, they believe it is their responsibility to remind the community that help is available. “No one should have to face overwhelming thoughts or feelings alone. During Suicide Prevention Month and every day, we want people in our community to know that support is available, hope is real, and reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.”
Gounder advised the public to be vigilant and look for potential red flags, which can include talking about wanting to die, expressing feelings of hopelessness, intense emotional mood swings, and feeling trapped. Behavioural changes like increased use of alcohol or drugs, a drastic decline in hygiene, disrupted sleeping patterns, and a sudden drop in work or school performance should also be taken seriously. She urged the public to listen without judgment if someone shares suicidal thoughts, to encourage them to seek help, and to contact an emergency helpline if immediate assistance is needed.
Wards 48 and 50 councillors, Michelle Lutchmen and Lyndal Singh, both commented that this month is a powerful reminder that every life matters and that efforts to break the silence around mental health must continue. They are collaborating with non-government organisations (NGOs) and the Department of Social Development (DSD) to address the issue within their respective wards, ensuring community leaders are better equipped to tackle it.
According to statistics from the Council for Medical Schemes, in 2024, 23.5 out of 100,000 people in South Africa passed on from suicide, which amounted to a devastating 14,000 deaths. For more information about the shelter, contact Leenie on 031 500 3671.
