It’s so important to know that it is not your fault…I truly believe that people who live with mental health conditions are actually one of the most resilient [groups] in the world and very compassionate people. You are awesome, we are awesome people.” – Lerato Solomon, mental health advocate and community development practitioner
Suicide is not inevitable and can be prevented with timely, evidence-based interventions. In South Africa, 23 deaths out of 100,000 people are because of suicide; making it the 10th highest suicide rate in the world. Each year, we commemorate 10 September as World Suicide Prevention Day [WSPD] to raise awareness and bring attention to this important issue.
The WSPD theme for the next three years, as set by the International Association for Suicide Prevention [IASP], is Changing the Narrative. The aim is to inspire individuals, communities, organisations, and governments to engage in open and honest discussions about suicide and suicidal behaviour. The hope is that by initiating these vital conversations, we can break down barriers, raise awareness, and create better cultures of understanding and support.
Suicide prevention is a collective responsibility, and together, we can create a world where every life is valued and supported.” – Prof. Rory O’ Connor, IASP President
At SAFMH, we are committed to #StartingTheConversation and sharing the stories of persons with lived experience to break stigma, change attitudes and raise awareness. During Men’s Health Month in June, we focused on the ‘silent epidemic’ of suicide in men with SAFMH Deputy Director, Leon de Beer, penning a personal editorial focused on his mental health journey. He said: “As a middle-aged male, who has for many years traversed my own unique path with occasional mental health struggles, mostly brought on simply by life and its inevitable challenges, the topic of men and suicide is one that is very near to my heart. I count myself as one of the lucky ones, having managed to always overcome my hurdles and not succumb to the dark urges that haunt you during the absolute worst of times.”
To commemorate WSPD, we chatted with mental health advocate and community development practitioner, Lerato Solomon, about her mental health journey and her experiences with suicide. Despite being diagnosed with depression when she was 10-years old, Lerato only received the treatment she really needed after her fourth suicide attempt when she was in her late twenties.
Lerato said: “I remember screaming form the top of my lungs, crying, begging that I did not want to go back home. I need help, I need something that will take me out of the times and space that I am in. And I remember the GP saying okay, we will get you the help that you need. I remember for the first time in my life feeling some sort of relief because number one I felt seen. I felt valued and I felt like there are other people like me.”
Lerato has since become a dedicated mental health advocate, sharing her story to inspire people and to help them feel seen.
I thought after going through what I’ve been through, there should surely be a purpose for it. I just knew that I did not want one more person to suffer in silence. For somebody who was a Lerato to still sit in that space when I had gotten the help, so I started writing a blog,’’ explained Lerato.
This World Suicide Prevention Day we call on everyone to promote and use our country’s 24-hour toll-free national suicide crisis hotline – 0800 567 567. We also call on everyone to join the call to change the narrative on suicide and start the conversation on this preventable and important issue.
Lerato says: “My message is that there is help, it’s important to ask for the help and there is really strength in vulnerability. Asking for help is so important.”
You can listen to the interview in full here.
PLEASE NOTE: this interview deals with potentially-triggering subject matter, so please approach with caution.
————————————————————————————————————————–
For enquiries and more information please contact:
Michel’le Donnelly – Project Leader: Advocacy & Awareness
CELL: +27 (0)79 799 6533
EMAIL: michel’le@safmh.org
