Teen puts mental illness stigma in Zen Zone

A Bridgetown teen who attempted suicide a year ago is now on a mission to break the stigma around mental illness.

Matthew de Wet, 17, says a bullying incident, which led him to attempt to take his life in September last year, has set him on a path to help others. With the support of his family, he started the Zen Zone project, offering free workshops to help young people cope with mental health challenges.

The Junior City Council member and Fairbairn College Grade 10 pupil has drawn on support from a specialist wellness counsellor, three teachers and two of his peers.

Zen Zone runs a six-week workshop on Fridays at the seminar room at Fairbairn College in Goodwood. Topics include how to deal with anxiety, stress and bullying.

Matthew says his life took a troubling turn after a social media post.

“My friends and I made a video and there were lots of negative comments on it. I wasn’t sure how to handle it, and then I was attacked online about something personal. I wanted a way out and thought suicide was the way out. I had a panic attack at school, and that day my mom fetched me and took me to the doctor. When I got home, I overdosed on the medicine the doctor prescribed.”

His mother, Ronika de Wet, remembers that day as “scary and challenging”.

“We found him in his room during load shedding. As parents, it was very hard for us. He was in the intensive care unit. We blamed ourselves. As a family, we go to church, we have dinner around the table and we talk as a family. We asked ourselves what did we miss and where did we go wrong?

“I remember feeling embarrassed and lost. As parents, we often second-guess ourselves, but since Zen Zone, we learnt quickly. As a family, we support Zen Zone. I believe God saved Matthew’s life so that he can change the lives of others,” Ms De Wet said.

At first, Matthew felt embarrassed talking about his troubles.

“We are told that men don’t cry. I developed that mindset because this is what society prescribed. In this year alone, I have heard of four suicides among young people. Everyone needs to know that it’s okay to speak to a professional about your issues. There is nothing wrong with that.”

Matthew is repeating Grade 10 because of everything he went through last year, but his mother says she is grateful that her son “bounced back” to make his school’s rugby first team and he improved on his academics too.

Matthew says the project is called Zen Zone because it’s about creating a calm, relaxed environment for those who take part.

The workshops are open to everybody, and there is no age limit. They will be held at Fairbairn College every Friday from 3pm to 5pm, until Friday November 1.

Contact Zen Zone at 082 341 4267 or email matthew.dewetworkemail@gmail.com or find him on Instagram at jcc_zenzone24.