SADAG Warns of Mental Health Crisis Amid Rising Mpumalanga School Bullying

PIENAAR, MPUMALANGA — Concerns are mounting over the alarming rise in Mpumalanga school bullying, prompting mental health advocates to urge immediate intervention as the country observes Suicide Prevention Month. With disturbing videos of peer abuse circulating on social media, parents and experts are calling on educational institutions to take decisive action to protect vulnerable learners and address the severe psychological toll of these incidents.

The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) has highlighted the critical need for parents and teachers to actively listen to children and provide appropriate support. Roshni Parhboo-Seetha, SADAG’s Project Manager for Education, revealed that the organization’s call center handles up to 3,000 calls daily. She noted that these helplines are frequently contacted by learners, teachers, and parents who are navigating severe mental health challenges stemming from peer victimization.

“We hear from young people who are being bullied, parents who are worried about their children, and teachers concerned about learners who may be withdrawing, feeling overwhelmed, or battling emotionally,” Parhboo-Seetha explained. She emphasized the importance of recognizing the human element behind the data, stating that every statistic represents a child with feelings, hopes, and dreams who deserves to feel safe. She stressed that proactive check-ins with learners are vital for effective suicide prevention.

The urgency of the situation is palpable for families directly affected by the crisis. In Pienaar, a mother reported that her 18-year-old daughter, a learner at Bonginhlanhla High School, faced repeated physical assaults despite the matter previously being reported to the school. The mother recounted a recent incident where her daughter was ganged up on and hit by other students, who filmed the attack and circulated the video.

The psychological aftermath has been devastating for the teenager. Her mother noted that the teen is no longer the same at home, frequently re-watching the traumatic video of the assault, which has caused her to lose focus and stop taking her studies seriously.

The ripple effects of such abuse extend beyond the victims. A social worker at Childline pointed out that bullying also severely impacts the perpetrators. The expert warned that bullies often normalize their abusive behavior, believing their actions are acceptable, which perpetuates a continuous cycle of violence and abuse.

Highlighting the legal and educational framework, the Childline representative noted that the South African Schools Act explicitly guarantees every child’s right to a safe educational environment and emphasizes that children must not be bullied. To break the cycle of abuse and ensure compliance with the Act, experts stress the critical need to educate children on the importance of reporting these incidents and ensuring that schools foster environments where every learner feels secure.