By: Poelano Malema
Depression is in the spotlight in South Africa. This is due to the recent passing of AKA’s fiancée, Anele Tembe, who reportedly suffered from depression.
The 22-year-old reportedly committed suicide over the weekend after months of suffering with depression.
READ: Investigation launched after AKA’s fiancé dies at CT hotel
A report by iol states: “In South Africa, there are 23 recorded suicides a day, and for every suicide there are a further 20 attempted suicides.”
Tembe is not the only star who has suffered from depression. Let’s look at others.
Dr Tumi
‘Wafike’ hitmaker Dr Tumi suffered from depression that almost made him take his own life.
“I tried to kill myself when I was in varsity; I wanted to commit suicide. I was so depressed,” the Gospel star told Kaya 959 in an interview in 2020.
READ: Dr Tumi opens up about depression
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Katy Perry
In an interview with Vogue, Katy Perry said that between 2017 and 2018, she suffered with depression.
“I became depressed and I did not want to get out of bed. In the past, I had been able to overcome it, but this time something happened that made me fall down too many flights of stairs,” she told the publication.
“I had to really go on a mental health journey,” she added.
The singer says what helped her was going through therapy, taking medication, and having the support of her partner Orlando Bloom.
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Demi Lovato
In 2020, singer Demi Lovato spoke about how she has been battling with depression for many years.
“Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. Since a young age I’ve dealt with suicidal thoughts and depression,” she wrote in one tweet. “I’ve been very vocal in raising the awareness of mental health because it is possible to see the light when you start the work on yourself,” she wrote on Instagram.
Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. Since a young age I’ve dealt with suicidal thoughts and depression. I’ve been very vocal in raising the awareness of mental health because it is possible to see the light when you start the work on yourself. pic.twitter.com/Tk6D8jkTYe
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) September 10, 2020
“I’m living proof that you never have to give into those thoughts,” she continued in another tweet. “I’ve had many days where I’ve struggled but please let this song be an anthem to anyone who needs it right now. You can get through whatever it is you’re going through,” she wrote in another post.
I’m living proof that you never have to give into those thoughts. I’ve had many days where I’ve struggled but please let this song be an anthem to anyone who needs it right now. You can get through whatever it is you’re going through.. pic.twitter.com/6HeYC0KCjd
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) September 10, 2020
John Newman
Last year, John Newman announced to the world that he will be taking a break from his music career due to suffering from depression.
The ‘Stand By Me’ hitmaker took to Instagram to announce the news.
“Today is marking the end of an incredible and amazing era in my life but change is a positive and uplifting thing. I have decided to pause my career to be able to discover the better side of me that is still there despite feeling such depression due to my work,” he wrote on Instagram.
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Candy Tsa Mandebele Mokwena
South African singer Candy Tsa Mandebele Mokwena suffered from depression in 2016 after reports of her going broke surfaced in the media.
The ‘Nathinga’ hitmaker says she was rescued by Kelly Khumalo.
In an interview with Drum magazine, the singer said Kelly was a Godsend.
“Kelly Khumalo was a godsend at that period in my life. She reached out to me and said, ‘take it easy’. I respect that woman. When she talks, it’s as if an adult is talking to me. There’s something very special about that her…I never thought that I would get advice from Kelly,” she told the publication.
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Shudufhadzo Musida
Miss South Africa Shudufhadzo Musida is an advocate for mental health.
The reason she is so passionate about it is because she had to deal with depression from a young age.
What caused Musida to become depressed was bullying, which she experienced while in primary school.
“The bullying happened when I moved to a new school. Before the age of nine I was a bubbly little girl, but then people found it okay to bring me down at a time when I was only trying to discover myself. The ramifications were enormous,” she said during one of her sessions on #MindfulMondays.
“It got to the point where I thought if I covered up and didn’t draw too much attention to myself, maybe it would stop. I developed low self-esteem and it took me a long time to realise that it was actually never about me but about the people who were doing the bullying,” she added.
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Symptoms of depression
The SADAG website states the following as symptoms of depression:
– Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex.
– Feelings of hopelessness and pessimism.
– Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness and self reproach.
– Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping.
– Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain.
– Decreased energy, fatigue and feeling run down.
– Increased use of alcohol and drugs; may be associated but not a criteria for diagnosis.
– Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts.
– Restlessness, irritability, hostility.
– Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions.
– Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain.
– Deterioration of social relationships.
According to SADAG, between 80% and 90% of all depressed people respond to treatment and nearly all depressed people who receive treatment see at least some relief from their symptoms. However, it states that before any treatment programme begins, a complete evaluation is essential.
Visit sadag.org to find out more.
Image courtesy of Instagram/ @Drtumisang
