In this episode of the Safeguarding Africa podcast, Mandisa Mtembu speaks with educational psychologist Stacey Lee Watson-Jacobs about the critical issue of suicide prevention among young people. They discuss the various mental health challenges that can lead to suicidal thoughts and behaviors, including depression, anxiety, trauma, and the impact of social media. Stacey provides insights into the definitions of self-harm, suicidal ideation, and the importance of understanding these concepts for effective intervention. The conversation emphasizes the need for open communication, education for parents, and the role of adults in creating safe environments for young people. They also address common myths surrounding suicide and the importance of seeking professional help. The episode concludes with practical advice for aftercare following a suicide attempt, highlighting the need for a supportive community and ongoing education.

In this episode of the Safeguarding Africa podcast, host Mandisa Mtembu engages with educational psychologist Masego Morobane to explore the intersection of psychology, safeguarding, and child protection. Masego shares her personal journey into psychology, the importance of understanding educational psychology, and the challenges faced by neurodivergent children. The conversation delves into the roles of assessments, therapy, and medication, as well as the risks and stigma associated with neurodiversity. Masego emphasizes the need for informed parents, teachers, and community members to support children effectively and highlights the importance of creating safe environments for all children.

Moyahabo Thoka, a legal researcher and attorney at the Center for Child Law in South Africa. They discuss the intersection of law and child protection, focusing on topics such as education, birth registration, migrant children, child care protection, social assistance, children's rights to environmental justice, children and the criminal justice system, and children with disabilities. They also address misconceptions about the Bella Bill, which includes provisions for comprehensive sex education and expanded definitions of child abuse. The conversation emphasizes the importance of providing children with the information and support they need to make informed decisions and protect their rights. The conversation explores the responsibilities of different stakeholders in protecting and safeguarding children. The SACE Code of Conduct guides educators in their role as caregivers and advocates for children. Family members are expected to act in the best interest of the child and report any abuse or neglect. Community members also have a responsibility to report any signs of abuse or harmful behavior towards children. The law is there to protect children, and there are various avenues for seeking help and guidance, including legal NGOs and organizations like the Center for Child Law.

https://youtu.be/fgaeXxOuOBY

In this episode we speak to Monique Strydom founder of Matla a Bana an organisation that focuses on supporting children who report rape and abuse against them.

Their aim is minimise secondary abuse in children while reporting a crime.

We speak to Namhla Nxasana-Duma on her approach to safeguarding as an intentional parent of 3.

On this seminal episode, we discussed safeguarding and the importance of destigmatising mental illness for African youth.

Mandisa and Xoliswa introduce the Podcast and themselves.

Ongoing bullying has a negative impact on a child's growth. Listen to CEO of Safeguarding Africa speak on how we can deal with this.