October declared Mental Health Awareness month in South Africa

The month of October has been declared Mental Health Awareness month in South Africa, with the objective of not only educating the public about mental health but also to reduce the stigma and discrimination that people with mental illness are often subjected to. Mental health is one of the most neglected forms of illness despite it accounting for most suicides among young people. According to the World Health Organisation 800-thousand young people commit suicide worldwide each year. Further studies have found that 21% of South African youngsters had attempted suicide at least once. For more on teen depression in the country, Jane Rabothata spoke to a Social worker from Life healthcare group, Charlene van Rooyen..