Learner Mental Health must top 2021 schooling agenda
A reply to a parliamentary question revealed that the number of learners who committed suicide at Western Cape schools has increased five times since 2015, despite a slight dip in 2019. The numbers beg a greater concern for the well-being of learners and are as follows:
- 2015 – 3
- 2016 – 4
- 2017 – 12
- 2018 – 13
- 2019 – 11
- 2020 – 17
MPP Lorraine Botha says: “The reply indicated that psycho-social support interventions follow a three-fold approach based on the learner’s level of risk. High level interventions, with the cooperation of the provincial Department of Health, are targeted at learners who are at a high-risk, suicidal stage. Low to medium risk learners receive classroom and counselling support.
We must commit greater attention to learner Mental Health issues, particularly due to the added pressures associated with Covid-19, including reduction of contact time and related anxiety on learners’ performance.
I have submitted additional parliamentary questions in this regard. Learners are further encouraged to use the Safe Schools hotline at 0800 45 46 47 for counselling support.”
As the DA in the Western Cape, we will monitor the well-being of learners as we still operate in uncertain times that impact our futures. We call on teachers and parents to exercise due cognisance toward the mental health of learners.
