There is compelling evidence that adequate prevention and treatment of depression and alcohol and substance abuse can reduce suicide rates. School-based intervention – involving crisis management, self-esteem enhancement and the development of coping skills and healthy decision-making – has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of suicide among the young. The civics, social and political education module in secondary schools could be used to discuss these issues in order to help young people, particularly men, who feel they have nobody with whom to discuss their problems.