The City of Cape Town is strengthening its response to teen mental health and suicide prevention. This follows a concerned trend in suicide attempts, increasing significantly in mental health screening and use of these services across City Health facilities.
Between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 financial years, City Health recorded a marked rise in children and adolescents accessing mental health services by reflecting both a growing need and improved access to screening and care.
City Health data shows that 24 children under the age of 18 were attended for suicide attempts in 2024-25, in comparison to 18 in the previous financial year. Mental health screening for under-18s have increased fivefold, from 417 in 2023-24 to 2,048 in 2024-25.
Mental health visits for children and adolescents increased from 391 to 520 over the same period. Among adults, suicide attempts increased significantly from 50 to 139 cases, reinforcing the link between caregiver wellbeing and child mental health.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Services and Health – Councillor Francine Higham emphasised that each statistic represents a life and a family who is impacted. Strengthening prevention through school-based awareness can bring a gradual change.
The City of Cape Town is working closely with schools to raise awareness about teen mental health and suicide prevention, recognising that prevention begins long before a crisis. The programme focuses on identifying early signs of emotional distress and suicidal ideation. It encourages help-seeking behaviour among adolescents. It reduces stigma around mental health. And, strengthened referral pathways between schools and health services.
Recently, the City Health hosted an event at Steenberg High School in Retreat, on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 where learners were encouraged to seek help and were equipped with practical tools to cope with stress.
The programme aligned with the World Suicide Prevention theme, “Changing the narrative on suicide,” and highlighted that suicide is preventable and open, empathetic conversations helps in reducing stigma and encourage help-seeking. Learners were reminded that feeling overwhelmed or anxious was not a weakness, and support was available.
Considering this, Cllr Francine Higham stated that behind every number is a young person who is struggling and a family that is hurting. Teen suicide is not just a health issue, it is a societal issue that demands compassion, vigilance, and collective action.
Schools are critical spaces for prevention. By working directly with learners and educators, and by placing the psychologists at the forefront of awareness and education, they are empowering young people to speak up and seek help before they reach a point of crisis.