On Wednesday, 05 August 2026, the SA Federation for Mental Health (SAFMH) Deputy Director, Leon de Beer, conducted a mental health awareness session focused on suicide with police officers and residents at the Linden SAPS Police Station.
Leon said:
It was such a privilege for me to have such an open and honest conversation about oft-difficult topics like mental health and suicide in a key community space like the SAPS Linden police station. Only through such events can we truly start breaking the silence and stigma around mental health. It was great to see SAPS Linden being so proactive in their approach and bringing together such a range of people – men and women in various SAPS roles, from various stations, mental health practitioners and advocates, and local residents, some of whom had had first-hand experience with suicide – in a safe, warm, and inviting environment, and allowing me to speak so candidly about men, mental health, and suicide. These types of events should be replicated far and wide. By other SAPS stations, churches, community-based organisations, corporates, Govt departments… Anywhere where there are audiences that are willing and able to listen and participate. And very importantly, these types of conversations are NOT just for men. Women need to attend them too, as was the case at the SAPS Linden event, because EVERYONE needs to hear the message and increase their knowledge. Only through doing this can we truly break the pervasive stigma surrounding mental health, suicide, and other related topics. A very sincere thank you and congratulations to SAPS Linden for being so proactive.”
