The University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Centre for Psychological Services and Career Development (PsyCaD) marked Suicide Awareness Month with a prevention campaign designed to create opportunities for students to connect, reflect and support one another.
Led by PsyCaD staff and PsyCaD Ambassadors, the campaign used simple, interactive activities to encourage conversations around suicide prevention and mental health. Students were invited to contribute anonymous words of encouragement and messages to a message jar, creating a space for reflection and peer support.
The initiative emphasised an important message: students do not have to navigate difficult moments alone.
It encouraged members of the UJ community to check in on one another, have conversations about wellbeing and seek professional support when needed.
“I think it is important that we create spaces where students can talk about difficult things without feeling judged. Even a small conversation can be the first step towards getting help,” said Onawo Stark, a PsyCaD Ambassador.
Building a culture of support
For PsyCaD, suicide prevention extends beyond responding to students experiencing a crisis. It also involves creating an environment where conversations about mental health are more accessible and where students feel able to ask for help.
“Suicide prevention is not only about responding when someone is in crisis. It is also about creating a culture where people feel comfortable speaking, asking for help, and knowing that they will be heard. Through this campaign, we wanted to create those small moments of connection for our students,” said a PsyCaD psychologist.
The involvement of PsyCaD Ambassadors added an important peer-to-peer dimension to the campaign. By engaging directly with fellow students, the ambassadors helped encourage participation and reinforce the role students can play in supporting one another.
“Being part of this campaign showed me how important it is for students to look out for one another. Sometimes a simple ‘are you okay?’ can open the door to a much-needed conversation,” said PsyCaD Ambassador Boitumelo Sibisi.
A UJ student who participated in the campaign said the initiative helped make a difficult subject easier to approach.
“The campaign made it easier to talk about something that can be difficult to talk about. Seeing other students participate reminded me that we all have a role to play in supporting each other.”
Supporting student wellbeing
The campaign forms part of PsyCaD’s broader work to promote student wellbeing and mental health awareness across UJ.
Through awareness initiatives, student engagement and access to psychological support, PsyCaD contributes to creating a university environment in which students can seek assistance before challenges become overwhelming.
The initiative also contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, through its focus on mental health awareness and suicide prevention. It also supports SDG 4: Quality Education, recognising the role of wellbeing in creating an environment in which students can learn and thrive.
Support is available
PsyCaD provides psychological support to UJ students across all four campuses. Students are encouraged to seek support if they are struggling, feeling overwhelmed or simply need someone to talk to.
Students do not have to wait until they reach a crisis point before asking for help. PsyCaD offers a walk-in service at its offices, meaning students do not need an appointment before visiting.
The PsyCaD 24-hour Crisis Line also provides access to registered health professionals:
082 054 1137
The Suicide Prevention Campaign forms part of PsyCaD’s ongoing commitment to student wellbeing and societal impact, helping to strengthen awareness, connection and access to support across the UJ community.
