Jeromia Kgomongwe

Jeremiah has a passion for helping people. He volunteered at the Family and Marriage Association of South Africa (FAMSA) before getting into contact with SADAG because he wanted to start a support group in Potchestroom. “There was no facilities or social workers in the area for people with a mental illness. People were coming to me for help so I started a support group because I wanted to provide support and guidance to those in need,” says Jeremiah. “In the group, people feel they are not alone and it gives them hope in their struggle.”

Jeremiah has been running his Depression and HIV/AIDS support group since 2003. He says,"It was not difficult to start my group. I got stories in the newspaper and on the radio and explained to people that they need to understand why support groups help."The group initially held two meetings a month in the Potchestroom community hall Library . Yet due to increasing demand, the group now has a meeting once a week on a Thursday with up to 35 people attending. Jeremiah says, “Most of the people who attend my group are depressed due to financial issues and poverty.”
 
"My group helps people to recover from Depression because it provides them with information and pamphlets, support and encouragement. I tell the group that they must be strong and keep busy by getting involved in the community," says Jeremiah. "I also invite guest speakers such as local priests and doctors to come and speak to the group." He continues to say that sometimes people at the group experience conflict at home and come and speak to him. He helps them by working out a program(ie:conflict resolution) and explains how it works and encourages them to do it every week.

“Running the support group has definitely helped me as a person. Before I started the group, I had no self-confidence. Now I am a strong person, I have gained a lot of skills and I am good at helping people solving their  problems,” says Jeremiah. 

Despite the success of the group, there is still a big demand for more support groups in the area as some people cannot get transport to Jeremiah’s group. Some of the people that attend Jeromiah's group live as far as 45km away. “ People who want to help with the support group have approached me. So for the future I hope to help start more support groups in the surrounding areas.”
 

Katrina

 “My experience at SADAG has been a great opportunity to learn so many new things.  I’ve learnt about poverty and the effects it has on mental health and helping people who have no money, to name a few. Working at SADAG has effected my life in a positive way and it has increased my confidence to talk in front of people,” says Katrina.

The most challenging thing that Kat had to do whilst at SADAG was trying to get the message across to kids that don’t want the message during the substance abuse school talks. But her most memorable moment is realizing the people at the Baragwaneth Hospital support group had become friends outside the group. “That was really great, and a good feeling,” says Katrina.

Katrina says, “SADAG has inspired me to push for things in life, and not settle for just anything. I’m working towards my studies as a clinical psychologist and I will continue in the future to push for more help, more funding and more sponsorship for the NGO back home.” After 7 months, Katrina says her final goodbyes and leaves her SADAG experience. “SADAG is diverse in what you deal with and the opportunities it offers are vast. You get the opportunity to help a variety of people in a number of ways.”

Lungelo Mavuso

Lungelo Mavuso crossed paths with SADAG in April 2008, when she was given an assignment to volunteer at an NGO for her Unisa Therapeutic Psychology course. She heard of SADAG through a friend, and called them to get an application form to become a counsellor. After a lengthy process of interviews, listening shifts and trainings, Lungelo became a counsellor at SADAG.

“Working for SADAG has made me aware of all the people out there that are suffering from mental illness and need help. It makes me feel good to help people,” explains Lungelo.

“A few months after I started working at SADAG, I took a call from a thirteen year old girl. Her parents were divorced and her mother was so depressed she couldn’t get out of bed and look after her daughter or pay any of the bills. The situation made me picture my own sister feeling the same feelings as this little girl when she was in the same situation. That was a difficult situation to deal with. I wish there had been someone like me there to help my sister through her problems.”

“SADAG has definitely taught me to not be judgemental,” says Lungelo.
Lungelo once received a call from a woman who was complaining that she went to her local clinic to pick up her medication and they called her a crazy person. This lady wanted to change clinics because she was not happy with how she was treated but there was no other clinic nearby that she could go to. “At SADAG we try relentlessly to eliminate stigma from mental illness. What I have realised is, you have to get involved so that you can understand what the person is going through.”

“School trips have definitely been my favourite experience at SADAG. We went on school trips to the Northwest, Limpopo and Gauteng. We get the opportunity to talk to the headmaster and teachers about the problems in the school and then can address these problems in our talks to the students. It allows you to interact with people and offer your help face to face.” Lungelo has been inspired to continue volunteering at SADAG because at the end of a call, someone has said thank you, and you know that you have helped someone and made a difference in their lives.

Volunteering for SADAG has definitely made an impact on Lungelo’s life as it has made her want to pursue a career in psychology. “I’ve come to love psychology and definitely want to take it further in the future,” she says.

Jay and Michelle

Jay and Michelle, work alongside SADAG running three bipolar support groups in Cape Town. The first group is in the south of Cape Town in Claremont. The meeting is held on the third Tuesday of every month at the Crescent Clinic. The second group is in the north of Cape Town, in N1 city, held at the Claro Clinic, the first Tuesday of every month. Their third group is an online support group, to sign up visit (bipolarsa.ning.com). They have some of the longest running support groups, already operating for 14 years. This couple began their groups after Jay was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Several years ago they crossed paths with SADAG and ever since have supported SADAG and they have worked closely together. They have helped out with workshops and press.

Their two support groups run once a month each with 20-30 people attending. Jay started up a website (www.bipolar.co.za) two years ago, now it has 750 members. "Running the groups has had a huge impact on our lives, I hope our work has had an impact on others lives," Says Michelle. " Helping others gives me great joy."

Jay and Michelle welcome people in need into their home. Michelle says, “ Jay and I have found it works for us to take in women. We have two ladies in there 30’s that come and stay with us when they going through a rough time and need TLC. They need to be uplifted and given guidance, and support. Staying with us puts a smile on their face and cheers them up!”  

Their suicide situations with patients have been the most memorable for them says
Michelle. "Helping someone out in that situation is very rewarding. When a person is in real trouble you drop whatever you're doing and go to help them." Michelle adds, "I'm a lecturer and I was once called out of class because a girl was going to kill herself."

And for the future Jay says, "I can't imagine us not running the group. It has become part of our lives and brings us ongoing joy." What Jay would like to do is expand their boundaries and reach out to the black communities in Cape Town. "There is so much help needed in the black communities because they do not always recognise mental illness. There is such limited help for those that have mental illnesses." We will help anyone who wants to start groups in townships near Cape Town.

The problem that Jay and Michelle will face is finding a successor to carry on their group, as they get older. They urge people in their community to become part of this cause and help others. "When you help people, it makes you feel good! It's been my therapy and its very gratifying," says Jay