Suicide among young men a ‘national crisis’, minister tells parliament

Suicide among young men in South Africa is emerging as a major public health concern, with government acknowledging an escalating crisis that requires urgent, co-ordinated intervention. This was revealed in a parliamentary question posed by African Transformation Movement leader Vuyo Zungula. Zungula asked minister of women, youth and persons with disabilities,Sindisiwe Chikunga, whether instances of young men choosing to take their own lives had increased over the past five years.

In her response, the minister said her department was “deeply concerned” about rising suicide rates among young people. “Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 15–29, with a national rate of roughly 23.5 per 100,000 people. “While recognising that men account for nearly 80% of all recorded suicides in the country, this makes it a critical issue for young men.” Zungula also requested the most recent statistics, broken down by age group and province, and asked whether the minister would declare suicide among young men a national crisis requiring urgent prioritisation.

She said the detailed, disaggregated data was still being finalised by agencies such as Statistics South Africa. “Specific national statistics disaggregated by province for the past five years are not immediately available… recent provincial and age-disaggregated data is still being finalised.” The scale of the problem has already elevated suicide prevention to a priority area. “The department has noted the escalating suicide rates among young people in South Africa, deepening what is perceived as a national crisis and a priority area of intervention.

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Suicide is preventable, requiring urgent, co-ordinated and society-wide intervention,” the minister said. Government’s response will centre on tackling underlying drivers such as unemployment, trauma and gender-based violence, while also strengthening mental health support systems.

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