• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home South Africa

Close to 1 800 people have committed suicide since lockdown started: Mkhize

21 August 2020, 9:33 PM  |
Mercedes Besent Mercedes Besent |  @SABCNews
The province with the most incidents is Gauteng with 482 suicide related deaths.

The province with the most incidents is Gauteng with 482 suicide related deaths.

Image: Reuters

The province with the most incidents is Gauteng with 482 suicide related deaths.

Close to 1 800 people in the country have committed suicide in the four months following the declaration of the lockdown in March. This has been revealed by Health Minister Zweli Mkhize in a written reply to a DA Parliamentary question in the NCOP.

Minister Mkhize says 1 781 suicide-related deaths occurred under lockdown between the 27 March and 27 July.

The province with the most incidents is Gauteng with 482 suicide-related deaths. This is followed by KwaZulu-Natal standing at 392. Eastern Cape had 297 and the Western Cape had 180 people who committed suicide over the four month period. Mpumalanga had 175 suicide-related deaths, Limpopo had 117, followed by North West with 73 people who committed suicide under lockdown.

The Free State had 51 and the Northern Cape had 44 people who died from suicide.

In May, some mental health experts told SABC News that many South Africans are increasingly experiencing depression due to financial burdens and stress brought about by the coronavirus pandemic and resultant lockdown. They say the COVID-19 virus has sparked anxiety, panic and an increase in substance abuse.

Statistics show that worldwide, depression affects more than 300 million people. Helplines are inundated with calls from people who are suicidal.

Psychologist Thokozani Sithole says COVID-19 has induced a lot of anxiety and depression.

“The pandemic has induced a lot of anxiety, a lot of depression symptoms. People are feeling lonely during lockdown and their lives have stopped. So, that impacts a lot on their psychological functioning and well-being. What I have seen as a physiologist in my practice, these sorts of red flags play out and people are suffering in silence.  They don’t have anyone to talk to them and no one understands what’s happening. The reality is mental health is stigmatised, people don’t talk about these issues, or feeling, depressed, and having anxiety.”

SADAG call volumes have almost doubled:

Share article
Tags: SuicideDr Zweli Mkhize
Previous Post

Nelson Mandela Bay Metro appoints interim acting municipal manager

Next Post

Kimberley residents up in arms over alleged highest electricity cost in the country

Related Posts

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane is seen interacting with the school management team at the Geluksdal Secondary School in Brakpan on 03 February 2023 following the fatal stabbing of a learner.

Emotional stress, gangs behind recent spate of violence in Gauteng schools

5 February 2023, 9:05 PM
On this day in 2016, a container at the mine entrance collapsed and buried Yvonne Mnisi, Pretty Nkambule and Solomon Nyirenda.

Action SA to compel government, Lily Mine owners to retrieve container trapped underground

5 February 2023, 7:13 PM

Mass killings haunt Eastern Cape residents

5 February 2023, 5:40 PM
A graphic about gender-based violence

‘Implement policies to end GBV scourge’

5 February 2023, 5:02 PM
File Image: Rescue workers and vehicles stand by at the scene of the Lily mine collapse near Barberton in Mpumalanga on 05 February 2016.

Families of Lily Mine victims still searching for answers seven years on

5 February 2023, 10:10 AM
File Image: A black rhino is seen after it was dehorned in an effort to deter the poaching of one of the world's endangered species, at a farm outside Klerksdorp, in the North West on February 24, 2016.

Manhunt under way for suspected rhino poachers in Eastern Cape

5 February 2023, 8:41 AM
Next Post
Sol Plaatje Municipality has denied the pricey mark-up, saying it will seek clarity from Nersa and Eskom.

Kimberley residents up in arms over alleged highest electricity cost in the country

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Registration at Unisa closes on Friday, but management says no need to panic
  • Green comet to be visible from SA next week
  • VIDEO: Mabuza resigns as SA Deputy President
  • Shock over proposed SA sponsorship of Tottenham Hotspur
  • Budding Stellenbosch FC star reportedly stabbed to death
  • Parts of the Northern Cape to be exempted from rolling blackouts
  • Registration at Unisa closes on Friday, but management says no need to panic
  • VIDEO | St Benedict College’s Matric learner gets 11 distinctions
  • Limpopo matriculant from child-headed household attains diploma pass
  • Female circumcision practice thriving in Eastern Cape
  • Green comet to be visible from SA next week
  • Budding Stellenbosch FC star reportedly stabbed to death
  • Tributes pour in for Stellenbosch FC player Oshwin Andries
  • Mabuza asked to remain in his role until transition finalised
  • ‘SA will remain a sinking ship under the ANC’

LATEST

President Cyril Ramaphosa
 has called a Joint Sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces at 19h00 on Thursday to deliver the State of the Nation Address.
  • Politics

Opposition parties outline their expectations for SONA


Soccer Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - February 5, 2023 Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane celebrates after the match after he became Tottenham Hotspur's all time top goalscorer Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications.  Please contact your account representative for further details.
  • Sport

Kane breaks Greaves Tottenham goal record, now targets Shearer


ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula together with party members at the January 8 anniversary celebration rally in Hammersdale , KwaZulu-Natal.
  • Politics

‘If you are lazy, stay home’, Mbalula advises ANC members


Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane is seen interacting with the school management team at the Geluksdal Secondary School in Brakpan on 03 February 2023 following the fatal stabbing of a learner.
  • South Africa

Emotional stress, gangs behind recent spate of violence in Gauteng schools


FILE PHOTO: Russian hacking underground newsletter is seen in this illustration taken, December 19, 2022 REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
  • Sci-tech

Italy sounds alarm on large-scale computer hacking attack


[File image]
  • Africa

One peacekeeper killed in Congo after UN chopper comes under fire


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Nelson Mandela Bay Metro appoints interim acting municipal manager
Next Kimberley residents up in arms over alleged highest electricity cost in the country