PORT ELIZABETH - ALARMING SURGE IN PE SUICIDES OF GRAVE CONCERN TO POLICE

Port Elizabeth police have expressed grave concern about the recent spike in the number of suicides reported in the Mount Road cluster.

Police spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, says since January, more than 20 inquest dockets were opened by police relating to suicides.

She says the common age group is between 21 and 40 years.

In the majority of the cases, the deceased person lived alone. It is important that parents/friends/children/employees be aware and informed about suicidal tendencies. Suicide does not discriminate, it is prevalent across all races, genders and socio-economic groups. People don't commit suicide because they want to die, they simply see no other solution for their problems, pain, rejection, hurt, loss or victimization.

Suicide remarks and attempts are not attention seeking behaviour and should be taken seriously. People should be aware of warning signs such as:

• when a person talks about death or suicide in general
• being obsessed with death or ways to die
• communicating to others that he/she is a burden to others
• withdrawing from friends or family or expressing feelings of isolation
• a drastic change in behaviour
• sleeping too little or too much and
• increased use of alcohol or drugs

Police are appealing to the communities to look out for the above tell-tale signs and to seek help as soon as possible.

Marketing Manager for Atlas Security in Port Elizabeth, Wayne Hart told Algoa FM News that they responded to nine suicides this year, with three suicides and three attempted suicides reported in the last two weeks. Hart said, “While our Armed Response Officers are equipped to deal with most situations, some of these suicides have been carried out in a brutal way, which has had a traumatizing effect on them”.

The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) in partnership with Cipla, launched a new national Helpline which aims to assist the public with all Mental Health issues - including personal stress, mental illness, and other emotional problems.

The Helpline is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day offering free telephonic counselling, information, and referrals to callers nationwide.

(0800 456 789)

via - ALGOAFM