Adolescent alcohol consumption is driven by several factors such as the availability of alcohol and social norms.
- Chief Specialist Scientist in Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council
Rates of suicidal behaviour are higher among South African students than among the general population or students in other countries. Understanding why will help shape prevention efforts.
People who attempt suicide can access medical care at their clinics but psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers are not part of the primary health care setting.
In South Africa one of the biggest barriers to suicide prevention is that psychiatric and substance use services are often not integrated.
People with the same condition can respond differently to the same treatment. This is why personalised treatment is so important in all fields of medicine, including psychology.
Many students suffer from mental illness but universities have limited support services.
Depression may lead pregnant women to engage in suicidal behaviour. But the socioeconomic contexts pregnant women are in may also contribute to their suicide risk.
Paralympic sport is meant to be inclusive and fair but athletes don’t face a level playing field. Those from higher income countries can compete more easily.
Conventional health interventions for men in poor communities who engage in risky behaviour are not effective. The solution may lie with soccer.
Each suicide has a social, economic and cultural context. And unless these factors are considered alongside psychiatric care, steadily increasing suicide rates will not be curbed.
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