When does clinical depression become an emergency?

Depression. image: The Conversation

Helpline set up to offer assistance to depressed matrics

A 24-hour helpline has been established to help matrics who might be struggling to cope with the results they received.

When does clinical depression become an emergency?

Depression. image: The Conversation

The department of social development has urged matriculatants who are feeling depressed or suicidal over their matric results to seek help.

According to EWN, the department has set up an around-the-clock helpline that parents and matriculants can call if they need help processing potentially disappointing results.

Social Development spokesperson Lumka Oliphant said the hotline allows parents and matrics to seek help.

“They can phone at any time. We’ve got social workers on standby that they can speak to, they don’t even have to have airtime, don’t even have to tell us where they are. We’re able to even locate where they are in case some of them need assistance quickly.”

Principal of Bernadino Heights High School in Kraaifontein, Henry Alexander, encouraged those who failed to remember thatthey have a second chance.

“To those who won’t get the results that they hoped for, they must remember it’s not the end of the world. There’s a second chance plan that the Education Department has in place. If they really are distressed, they should immediately seek professional help.”

The “second chance” campaign will encourage those who have failed to re-register.

Independent Institute of Education’s (IIE) Felicity Coughlan however said she’s concerned about who will benefit from this.

“It’s going to be really tough for people in rural areas to begin to access that level of support. I’ve had a look at what’s on the website and unfortunately it’s seem to focus only those students who qualified for supplementary results.”