Katlego Sekhu
The series of suicides and suicide attempts within Tsakane Secondary School has sparked deep concern from Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane.
This comes after a video surfaced on Twitter showing a crowd gathered around collapsed children outside the school while parents were seen trying to pick them up.
Delving into this critical issue, 959 Breakfast welcomed counseling psychologist Nthabiseng Moeketsi to provide insight into the harrowing struggles experienced by schoolchildren, leading some to tragically end their lives.
Moeketsi highlighted a prevailing misconception: “We often underestimate the profound impact of stress on young children, presuming that they should solely focus on their academic pursuits and youth. Yet, we fail to recognize that their unique lives also carry substantial stressors, like meeting academic expectations.”
She continued, “Overlooking the fact that their lives encompass their own set of pressures, such as academic performance, is a mistake.”
Moeketsi strongly advocates for the introduction of comprehensive mental health wellness programs within schools. “We ought to replicate in schools what we do in corporate settings. Companies host mental wellness days, offering guidance on mental well-being. Similarly, we can educate children about mental health in schools. We should provide them with tools to manage mental health challenges and foster a positive outlook. Fundamental to this is teaching our children effective problem-solving and, more importantly, cultivating their resilience,” she said.
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