facebook twitter twitter tiktok Sadag Helpline donate

HELPLINE NUMBERS

24-HOUR TOLL-FREE EMERGENCY HELPLINES

Suicide Crisis Helpline
0800 567 567

Department of Social Development Substance Abuse Helpline
0800 12 13 14
SMS 32312

Cipla Mental Health Helpline
0800 456 789
SMS 31393

NPOwer SA Helpline
0800 515 515
SMS 43010

Healthcare Workers Care Network Helpline
0800 21 21 21
SMS 43001

UFS #Fair Kitchens Chefs Helpline
0800 006 333

8AM-8PM TOLL-FREE HELPLINES

Dr Reddy’s Mental Health Helpline
0800 21 22 23

Adcock Ingram Depression & Anxiety Helpline
0800 70 80 90

ADHD Helpline
0800 55 44 33

Pharma Dynamics Police & Trauma Helpline
0800 20 50 26

8AM-8PM SADAG OFFICE NUMBER

SADAG
011 234 4837

WHATSAPP NUMBERS

8AM – 5PM

Cipla Mental Health
076 882 2775

Maybelline BraveTogether
087 163 2030

Ke Moja Substance Abuse
087 163 2025

Have Hope Chat Line
087 163 2050

FOUNDER ZANE WILSON

Contact Founder: Zane@sadag.org

Click Here

University and Higher Learning Helplines

student shaming

Student and Staff Emergency Contact Numbers - Click here

REQUEST A CALLBACK

counsellor button

Request a Callback from a Counsellor
Click here

SUPPORT GROUPS

Website_Button.png

SADAG has over 160 free Support Groups. To find out more about joining or starting a Support Group click here.

Mental Health Calendar 2024

2023 Mental Health Calendar

To view our Mental Health Calendar
click here

QUESTIONNAIRES

questionnaire infographic

Do You want to check your Mental Health?

Click here for questionnaires

mental health sa
Christopher Kleynhans at the Fanwalk bridge. He handed out educational flyers to passsing motorists and pedestrians. PHOTO: Carla Meyer-Kleynhans

 

Urgent intervention is needed to raise awareness about mental health issues in the country and across the globe.

So says Christopher Kleynhans, founder of Swim for Change.

He was speaking at a public demonstration on Tuesday 10 September to promote awareness about mental health and suicide prevention. The demonstration was held at the Fanwalk bridge in the CBD. Over 1 000 black and green ribbons were attached to the pillars of the bridge to highlight World Suicide Prevention Day, commemorated globally on 10 September.

The black ribbons were in remembrance of those who committed suicide while the green ones represented the importance of raising awareness about mental health.

Kleynhans says mental health is often viewed as a sign of weakness – and a “patriarchal culture is one of the things that make it so much worse”.

He says Swim for Change has been trying to change people’s mindset and to spread the word around mental health since 2015. The youth-driven non-profit-organisation focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

Sadly though, not much has changed according to him.

“We have seen no change in support around mental health and people are committing suicide every day in South Africa. The situation needs urgent intervention.”

He says discussions regarding mental health and suicide prevention must be made a priority and various mechanisms should be put in place at schools and workplaces to help people understand the conditions associated with mental health.

With the event in the CBD, they wanted to send a message to the government that they are not doing enough to prioritise mental health.

“Mental health is a global health priority and it starts with effective national leadership. The government has many strategic plans in place, but does not get very far in implementing them,” says Kleynhans.

He says there are several community-based organisations such as the Counselling Hub, who charges a minimum of R50 per session. He advises the public to seek help when they suspect or feel like they are developing suicidal thoughts and that they should not take it as a sign of weakness.

“It is a proactive step towards turning your life around,” concludes Kleynhans.

V For more information visit www.swimforchange.co.za. Help is available at Suicide Crisis Helpline: 080 012 1314, South African Depression and Anxiety Group helpline: 0800 567 567 and other organisations online.


Name of the Publication: News24
Title of the article: Spotlight on Mental Health
Topic:Mental Health
Date: 17 Sept 2019
Author: Nomzamo Yuku
Online link: https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Local/Peoples-Post/spotlight-on-mental-health-20190916

Our Partners