Hardap: The Hardap Suicide Prevention Task Force is nearing the end of its first major outreach campaign, which forms part of a broader strategy to address rising suicide rates, especially among young people. The campaign started on 15 July and has thus far reached 35 of the 43 schools in the Hardap Region.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the campaign was launched in 2023 under the Ministry of Health and Social Services. The task force consists of 40 members, with 15 actively involved in the current campaign. Its goal is to raise suicide prevention awareness among learners and teachers at all 43 schools in the region.

Renee von Watzdorf, the Hardap Region's Chief Social Worker and a founding member of the task force, emphasized the group's commitment to reaching all schools even after the campaign's official conclusion on 08 August. "We have reached 35 schools, and due to ongoing workshops, we couldn't keep up with the original schedule, but we are committed to reaching all 43 schools in the region," Von Watzdorf said.

The campaign includes age-appropriate awareness sessions, emotional support, and one-on-one counselling for learners and teachers. Von Watzdorf noted the overwhelmingly positive response, stating, "Learners engaged through writing and performing poems, and some even volunteered to become peer mentors. At several schools, students came forward with suicidal thoughts. These learners were immediately counselled and placed on suicide watch."

Wendy van Neel, another social worker and task force member, highlighted the importance of empowering teachers, saying, "They also carry emotional burdens and are often the first to notice distress in learners."

The task force holds monthly meetings to train and equip its members with suicide prevention skills.