Exploring Suicidal Risk Factors through the Lenses of University Students in South Africa: A Case Study Approach

Exploring Suicidal Risk Factors through the Lenses of University Students in South Africa: A Case Study Approach

Namhla-Atabile Ludaka & Simon Murote Kang’ethe

Issue: Vol.6 No.8 Article 24 pp.1595 – 1607
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20256824 | Published online 25th July, 2025
© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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ABSTRACT

This research paper explored students’ viewpoints on the common factors that lead to suicide-driven behaviours at a selected university in South Africa. Despite the existence of numerous preventive measures, suicide remains a significant national and global concern. This study aimed to bridge this gap in the literature by examining the perspectives of at-risk students, ensuring that suicide prevention programmes are appropriately tailored and adapted. The significance of this study is underscored by its potential implications, as it amplifies the voices of individuals at risk of suicide, often overlooked in research. The research objective is to explore common factors that lead to suicide-driven behaviours among students from a selected university in the Western Cape. The research used a qualitative approach and was guided by person-centred theory, specifically client-centred therapy, developed by Carl Rogers. The study aimed to explore the experiences and perspectives of university students of a selected university on suicide-driven factors, support systems, and interventions. The results show that socioeconomic pressures (financial limitations, unemployment), interpersonal factors (family dynamics, relationships), and past mental health issues all play a role in suicidal thoughts. Interventions must successfully manage mental health issues and address these factors. This study contributes to scholarship by bridging a critical literature gap by amplification of at-risk students’ voices and providing insights that can inform the design of more appropriately tailored and adapted suicide prevention programmes in higher education settings.

Keywords: Suicide Ideation, Interpersonal Factors, Socioeconomic Stressors, Mental Health

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ABOUT AUTHOR(S)

Namhla Atabile Ludaka is a Registered Counsellor with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and a PhD candidate in Psychology at Nelson Mandela University. She holds a Master of Arts in Psychology from the Walter Sisulu University, a BA Honours in Psychology from Cornerstone Institute, and a second Honours degree in Social Science (Psychology) from Walter Sisulu University. Her academic and clinical interests focus on trauma, grief, and suicide. She is a dedicated mental health practitioner with a growing research profile and a passion for advancing psychosocial well-being in vulnerable communities.

Prof. Simon Murote Kang’ethe is a Full Professor at the Walter Sisulu University, South Africa. He holds a PhD in Social Work from North-West University and has extensive experience in academia and research. His work focuses on community development, HIV/AIDS, and social justice, with a strong publication record and a history of supervising numerous postgraduate students. Prof. Kang’ethe is an NRF-rated researcher and has served in various academic leadership and research ethics roles.

TO CITE ARTICLE

Namhla Atabile, Ludaka, and Simon Murote Kang’ethe. “Exploring Suicidal Risk Factors through the Lenses of University Students in South Africa: A Case Study Approach,” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 6, no.8 (2025): 1595 – 1607. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20256824