Pausing to reflect: Drama Dept and Counselling Centre create space for safe conversations on suicide
Date Released: Tue, 30 September 2025 12:11 +0200By Samukelisiwe Mpulo & Ayathandwa Tsili
The 10th of September marked World Suicide Prevention Day, with September being marked as suicide prevention month worldwide. In light of this, one of Rhodes University’s initiatives was a powerful collaboration between its Drama Department and Counselling Centre, which reminded the community that healing begins with stories.
The performance, under the theme “Suicide Awareness Semi-Colon;”, was brought to life by the Meqoqo Collective, led by founder and Rhodes University Drama lecturer Selloane Mokuku. Using playback theatre, a method where audience members share experiences that are immediately performed by actors, the group created a safe space for vulnerability and reflection.
“Playback is not just performance, it is collective listening,” said Mokuku. “When people see their stories acted out, it is a reminder that they are not invisible. Their struggles matter, their survival matters.”
She also reflected on why the project mattered: “When the Counselling Centre approached us, there was this notion that was quite important for us; that if you talk about death by suicide, it doesn't mean that you're promoting it. We were very interested in going with a global theme of changing the narrative. And so one way of changing the narrative is, how do we respond artistically?”
Alongside the artistry was a grounding voice of care: Catherine Parkinson, a psychologist from the Rhodes Counselling Centre, reminded the audience that professional support is always within reach.
“Suicide prevention isn’t only about intervention in a moment of crisis,” Parkinson explained. “It is about building communities where people feel heard and supported before they reach that point.”
Her colleague, counsellor Kgothatso Chiloane, added a practical reminder: “Some of the things to look out for are changes in behaviour, self-isolation, no longer enjoying things they used to enjoy, and the things that they say where you realise that there’s no hope in this person.”
Parkinson also highlighted how events like this one help break the silence surrounding mental health. “Every time we speak openly about these issues, we take away a little bit of the stigma. And every time someone reaches out for help, it’s a step towards healing,” she said.
Students in attendance said the performance brought them closer to the issue. “It made the pain real, but it also showed the strength in people’s survival,” one student reflected.
The semi-colon theme carried a poignant message. Just as a semi-colon in a sentence signals a pause rather than an ending, the performance celebrated the choice to continue despite life’s heaviness. In a country where suicide rates among young people are rising, Rhodes University’s initiative underscored the importance of both awareness and action.
Source:Communications