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Suicide

Suicide is the third greatest cause of unnatural death in South Africa. You could be a life-saver if you know the early warning signs of suicide and know how to act if someone is suicidal. This series of articles shows you what to look out for.

More elderly committing suicide

Mental health professionals are concerned about the number of elderly people resorting to suicide. Today is World Suicide Prevention Day and we take a look at why elderly people may decide to end their lives.

Alcohol fuels suicide tendencies

Here's a bit of advice that could save your life: If you're depressed, don't drink.

Attempted suicide: risk life-long

People who have attempted suicide once remain at risk of another try for the rest of their life, a comprehensive new British study indicates.

Danger signals of suicide

South Africa has a comparatively high suicide rate with 19 – 28 per 100 000 completed suicides per annum. We take a look at the danger signs of suicide.

Suicide threats not just a phase

Suicidal tendencies in adolescents are often misinterpreted as a “passing phase” or common characteristics of adolescent development. Education about suicide can be life-saving.

Controlling suicidal thoughts

Educating doctors and using care managers when treating seniors for depression not only eased the depression but also reduced suicidal thoughts, researchers say.

Low IQ linked to suicide risk

A study has found that young men with the lowest intellectual capacity are up to three times more likely to take their own life, compared with those with the highest test scores.

The cruellest loss

How does a parent cope with a child's suicide? This is one father's story.

Adolescents vulnerable to suicide

In South Africa, research has indicated that one in five teens thinks about harming themselves, with 7.8% of these youths actually attempted suicide before.

Adopted teens prone to suicide

Adopted teens try to kill themselves much more often than teens who live with their biological parents, says new research.

How to curb teen suicides

More South African teenagers are committing suicide, and the average age of those taking their own lives is decreasing. We focus on this tragic phenomenon, and how to prevent it.

Coping with the loss of a loved one

There are no words to describe the feelings you experience when you learn about the suicide of a loved one. The initial reaction usually is one of total disbelief and then horror. Devastation would be an understatement.

If your friend or child is suicidal

Suicidal thoughts or threats should always be taken seriously and it is important to act immediately. We discuss three steps parents and friends can take to help a suicidal teen.

When someone you know is suicidal

If someone you know is suicidal, what can you do to intervene?

Take action against teen suicide

There has been an increase in the number of children and teens who commit or attempt suicide. Learn to identify the warning signs and how to respond to someone who is suicidal.