The Gauteng Department of Education urged learners feeling overwhelmed with life and other stressors to seek help from the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) by calling their 24-hour helpline on 0800 68 78 88.
The call follows the death of a Grade 8 learner from the Tsakane Secondary School in Ekurhuleni who drank rat poison at school with her friend.
A spokesperson for the Department, Steve Mabona, says the incident happened on Monday during school hours and on the premises.
He says one of the female learners collapsed and had to be carried to the school admin block while her friend, visibly weak, managed to walk.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, where the first learner was declared dead.
Her friend was taken to a local medical facility for urgent care.
The police are currently investigating this tragic incident.
