Equip Guidance, Counselling Teachers With Psycho-Social Skills – Shamwari Yemwanasikana

A local civic society organization, Shamwari Yemwanasikana says schools must consider equipping Guidance and Counselling teachers with Psycho-social support skills in order to curb mental distress and anxiety challenges faced by students.

This follows the recent unfortunate suicide death of an 18-year-old St Faith High student, Tatenda Kapuya.

Shamwari Yemwanasikana in a statement emphasised on the rise of suicidal cases and urged the nation as a whole to play a pivotal role in the prevention of suicide and ensuring mental health of students is taken care of.

“The last few days social media has been awash with news of an 18year old student from St Faith High School who committed suicide in an unfortunate event at school. It is unfortunate that he did not receive support to deal and handle circumstances that led to his demise.

“This incident has stirred conversations on mental health and related issues. Do students have enough emotional support? Can teachers identify cases of mental distress or identify a student that is suicidal? These are of the questions that concerned individuals have.”

They added that, teachers have a role to play in raising awareness at schools on suicide.

“On the 10th of September the world observed Suicide Prevention Day. The day focuses attention on the issue, reduces stigma and raises awareness among organizations, government and the public on that suicide can be prevented.

‘Yes, suicide can be prevented. We need to address this issue as a nation. We have seen media reports of adults who have committed suicide and we now have students committing suicide. We cannot continue ignoring the fact that we have a crisis that needs to be addressed. Our mental health matters and it needs to be taken care of.

“Students spend most of their time at school in the care of teachers and school authorities. Teachers and school authorities have an important role to play in raising awareness on suicide and create safe spaces for students to learn.

“We already have guidance and counselling teachers in schools. They need capacity building on psycho- social support so that they can offer support to students with mental distress and anxiety.

Fellow students should also create a conducive learning environment for others. Bullying is a potential contributing factor and fellow students should desist from such behavior,” said Shamwari Yemwanasikana.

They further urged parents to pay heed to their children.

“We encourage parents to give an ear to the silent cries of their children and take up issues raised or noticed.

“The month of October is Mental Health Awareness month. As we walk into the month of October we need to go back to the drawing board and put measures in place that cater for students’ mental well- being. Examinations are fast approaching and we need collective efforts in assisting students with stress management and anxiety. Churches, government ministries, CSOs parents and guardians all have a role to play in preventing suicide and ensuring that mental health of students is taken care of.

“The time is now to stir conversations around mental health and anxiety. Conversations should also be done everywhere, in places of worship and communities, in schools and homes. Everyone, every stakeholder and every leader in their capacity has a part to play in preventing suicide. Prevention of suicide is not an individual problem,” they said.