FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
By Professor Ramneek Ahluwalia, CEO of Higher Health South Africa
November 10, 2025

Higher Health Mourns the Recent Tragic Loss of Students to Suicide and Mental Health at Nelson Mandela University (NMU) Among Other Institutions and Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthen Prevention and Counselling Services for the Higher Education Community

Pretoria, South Africa – The Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector is home to over 2.5 million young people, where 1 in 5 university students in South Africa experience a mental disorder. The statistics are alarming: globally, over 800,000 people die by suicide each year, while in South Africa alone, 23 people take their own lives every day, making suicide one of the leading causes of death among young people.

South Africa’s suicide rate is approximately 23.5 deaths per 100,000 people. Suicide is among the leading causes of death for young people (age 15-29) in South Africa. A 2025 media report states that men account for around 80% of suicides in South Africa (IOL). South Africa men are 4 times more likely to die by suicide than women (SADAG). According to alarming statistics, South Africa ranks 10th on the list of countries with the most suicides, with international figures reporting in 2022 that 13,774 suicides were reported, 10,861 of them men. This means that men account for nearly 80% of all recorded suicides in the country.

Suicide is often driven by isolation, feelings of being a burden, and untreated mental health conditions. Importantly, speaking up about suicidal thoughts is not attention-seeking, and experiencing mental health challenges does not make anyone weak.

According to WHO studies, 1 in 4 young South Africans in higher education struggle with mental health issues. Early intervention and resilience-building are essential – not only to improve educational outcomes, but also to strengthen job readiness, social inclusion, and national economic growth. Moreover, young people experiencing gender-based violence (GBV) are highly vulnerable to mental health crises, while untreated mental health conditions can increase risks of both victimisation and perpetration of GBV.

According to News24 in 2021, South African data showed that 20.8% of first-year students had experience anxiety and 13.6% had experienced depression. Furthermore, for University Students:

• Suicidal thoughts, planning, and attempts:
  • 30.6% reported suicidal thoughts in the past 12 months;
  • 16.6% had made suicide plans;
  • 2.4% had attempted suicide.  

Standing With Students in Times of Crisis

HIGHER HEALTH is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Sesethu Enhle Mboza, a second-year Bachelor of Arts student at Nelson Mandela University (NMU), who has reportedly died by suicide following an alleged sexual assault. Her passing marks the fifth student death at the university in just three weeks, casting a heavy shadow of grief across the NMU community and beyond.

According to reports, Sesethu had reported her rape to both the police and the university, and the alleged perpetrator, known to her, had been granted bail. Her mother, Ms. Sixolile Mboza, shared that her daughter had been sexually assaulted in her residence by someone she considered a friend, and that despite following all procedures to seek justice, the trauma she endured had lasting emotional consequences.

This heartbreaking tragedy has reignited national calls for urgent action against gender-based violence (GBV) and for strengthened support systems for survivors of sexual assault in higher education institutions.

The CEO of Higher Health, Professor Ramneek Ahluwalia, extended condoles to the bereaved families and the Nelson Mandela University, saying: “The loss of Sesethu Enhle Mboza and other young lives at Nelson Mandela University is a heartbreaking reminder of the pain that gender-based violence and mental health struggles continue to inflict on our campuses. Every student deserves to feel safe, valued, and supported. We cannot allow silence, stigma, or systemic gaps to cost us another life. HIGHER HEALTH stands ready to walk alongside Nelson Mandela University and every institution in building stronger networks of care, prevention, and protection for our young people.”

The Vice-Chancellor of Nelson Mandela University, Professor Sibongile Muthwa, extended condolences to the bereaved families, saying, “We grieve alongside them and hold them close in our thoughts and prayers during this time of profound sorrow.”

HIGHER HEALTH stands in solidarity with Nelson Mandela University, its students, and the families who are mourning these losses. These events highlight the critical and ongoing crises of gender-based violence and mental health struggles that continue to affect young people across South Africa’s higher education sector. Students face pressures that impact their safety, emotional wellbeing, and ability to thrive academically and personally.

Through its national network of clinical and psychosocial support services, HIGHER HEALTH offers counselling, mental health care, trauma support, and suicide prevention interventions for all students and staff. Our 24-hour toll-free crisis helpline (0860 36 36 36) is available for immediate, confidential support.

HIGHER HEALTH remains steadfast in our commitment to stand alongside students, staff, families, and communities during these painful times. We are making comprehensive counselling, psychosocial support, and suicide prevention services to all to all affected: families, friends, classmates, and the broader NMU communities. No one needs to suffer in silence.

HIGHER HEALTH remains unwavering in its commitment to work with institutions, the Department of Higher Education and Training, and the student community to build safer, more compassionate learning environments where every young person can thrive free from fear and harm.

Impact of Higher Health’s Mental Health and GBV Interventions

Despite ongoing losses, countless lives have also been saved through Higher Health’s interventions. Over the past four years:

Mental Health:

• 421,839 students have participated in Higher Health’s structured Mental Health Dialogues across 26 universities, 50 TVET colleges, and 9 CET colleges. These safe, facilitated spaces encourage students to share experiences, learn coping strategies, and access resources.
• 353,727 students have completed Self-Risk Assessments to evaluate their vulnerability to mental health challenges and identify when to seek help.
• 69,891 students have received direct psychosocial support counselling, in both one-on-one and group settings, from Higher Health’s professional team.
• 48,484 students have contacted the 24-Hour Toll-Free Mental Health Crisis Helpline (0800 36 36 36) over the past four years via calls and SMS.
• Collectively, 118,375 student crises have been managed, combining helpline support and counselling services.

Gender-Based Violence:

• To date, 19 943 students across 26 public universities, 50 TVET colleges, and 9 CET colleges have been referred for GBV counselling through Higher Health’s support services. These are the brave South Africans who have broken the silence, overcome stigma, and sought psychosocial support choosing to speak out and not suffer alone.

• In addition, 367 079 brave students have taken part in Higher Health’s Co-Curriculum Dialogues on GBV – creating spaces to learn, engage, and act together towards building safer campuses and communities. From these dialogues, 316 591 students went on to complete Higher Health’s Self-Risk Assessments, helping them to better understand their own vulnerabilities to GBV and to take steps to protect themselves.

This work reflects Higher Health’s comprehensive approach: combining prevention, early intervention, crisis support, and ongoing counselling to safeguard student well-being.

24-Hour Mental Health Crisis Helpline

Students experiencing distress are urged to call the Higher Health 24-Hour Toll-Free Helpline on 0800 36 36 36. The helpline is free, confidential, and available year-round, connecting students directly to professional psychologists for immediate support.

The helpline offers assistance for:

• Mental health challenges such as suicide, stress, anxiety, and depression
• The impact of GBV, unsafe relationships, and abuse
• Trauma, grief, and loss
• Drug, alcohol and substance abuse 
• Gambling and addiction

Civic and Soft Skills NQF L5 Programme – Accredited by QCTO

Aligned with the Department of Higher Education and Training’s mission to empower South African youth, Higher Health has pioneered the Civic and Soft Skills Programme, developed with UNESCO and accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) at NQF Level 5. This groundbreaking initiative is the first of its kind in Africa and equips students with life skills, civic values, and workplace readiness competencies.

The programme includes critical modules such as Mental Health, Civic Education, Gender Studies (including UNESCO’s Transforming MEN’talities initiative), Disability Inclusion, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Climate Action, Financial Literacy, Digital Literacy, and Ethics of AI.

The Mental Health module plays a vital role in suicide prevention by teaching students to recognise early signs of distress, build resilience, practice coping strategies, and seek help before crises escalate. By empowering young people with knowledge and peer-support networks, the module helps to reduce stigma, prevent isolation, and strengthen protective factors against suicide.

The Gender Studies module in the Civic and Soft Skills Programme plays a crucial role in preventing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) by promoting equality, respect, and empathy among students. It helps young people understand gender dynamics, power relations, and the harmful social norms that often fuel violence and discrimination. Through dialogue, reflection, and practical learning, the module empowers students to challenge stereotypes, recognize abusive behaviours, and take a stand against all forms of GBV.

By building awareness and encouraging accountability, the Gender Studies module nurtures a culture of consent, mutual respect, and safety across campuses. It also equips Peer Educators and student leaders with the tools to support survivors, advocate for justice, and create inclusive environments where everyone, regardless of gender – can learn and live free from fear and harm.

Since its rollout in January 2025, over 10,000 students from universities, TVETs, and CET colleges have graduated from the programme, with a 95% completion rate and 82% throughput. Its hybrid model, supported by campus computer labs, ensures inclusivity for students from disadvantaged digital backgrounds.

With plans to scale the Civic and Soft Skills Programme to reach an additional 250,000 students in TVET colleges over the next two years, Higher Health is determined to safeguard the mental well-being of South Africa’s youth. By embedding resilience, empathy, and civic responsibility into the DNA of higher education, the programme is not only preventing suicide but also shaping a generation of leaders ready to contribute to a safer, healthier, and more inclusive society.

Peer Education Model – Each One Teaches Ten

Central to Higher Health’s approach is its peer education model, where trained students go on to teach at least ten peers. This not only multiplies impact exponentially but also reinforces the learning of peer educators themselves.

To date, over 10,000 peer educators have been trained, many of them survivors of mental health struggles, GBV, or living with HIV. Their lived experiences help create safe, inclusive, student-led platforms for dialogue. Through these efforts, Higher Health has fostered open conversations on mental health, GBV, and psychosocial well-being, encouraging students to seek support and break cycles of silence.

HIGHER HEALTH reaffirms its commitment to protecting the wellbeing of South Africa’s 2.5 million students across universities, TVET and CET colleges. With suicide now a leading cause of death among young people and 1 in 4 students experiencing mental health challenges, the organisation continues to strengthen its prevention and support services. Through structured campus dialogues, self-risk assessments, psychosocial counselling, a 24-hour toll-free crisis helpline (0800 36 36 36), and its accredited Civic and Soft Skills NQF Level 5 programme, HIGHER HEALTH has already reached hundreds of thousands of students. By empowering peer educators and embedding mental health education into the higher education system, HIGHER HEALTH ensures that no student faces their struggles alone, while building a lasting culture of resilience, care, and hope across the post-school education sector.