Data from the National Department of Health, as reported by the Department of Basic Education in 2025, reveals that nearly 7,426 children under the age of 18 received treatment following suicide attempts between April and December 2024.
As Grade 12 learners prepare to sit for their high-stakes final examinations, clinical psychologists are issuing an urgent reminder to families: excessive academic pressure can severely impact adolescent mental health.
Ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day on Thursday, experts are urging parents to swap heavy lectures for supportive listening.
Exam anxiety, perfectionism, and an intense fear of failure create a challenging environment for matriculants heading into their final assessments.
While family encouragement often comes from a good place, clinical psychologist Thabang Tlaka cautions that well-meaning comments can inadvertently trap students under an unbearable weight of expectations.
