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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 LINES

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EMERGENCY Contact Numbers for Students in South Africa - Click here

REQUEST A CALLBACK

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Request a Callback from a Counsellor
Click here

SUPPORT GROUPS

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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

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Do You want to check your Mental Health?

Click here for questionnaires

Join a Support Group


JOIN a Support Group

 

It’s important to remember that a Support Group is never the first line of intervention when treating or managing a Mental Illness.

In the majority of cases Support Groups are run by patients and ex-patients, they are not Mental Health practitioners and are not able to provide medical advice. A Support Group is not the same as Group Therapy.

If you have consulted with a Mental Health practitioner, have received a diagnosis and are managing your Mental Illness a Support Group can be an incredible support in maintaining your Mental Health. We recommend that you have been managing your Mental Health for a minimum of 6 months before joining a Support Group. While Support Groups offer support from members, they also require that you are able to provide emotional support to others in the Group. If you are still feeling vulnerable and like your own cup is empty, feeling that you need to be there for others can be overwhelming. As a general rule of thumb, one should first see a Mental Health Practitioner and have received a diagnosis prior to joining a Support Group.

This being said, not everyone needs a diagnosis to attend a Support Group, it depends on the type of Group you are looking to join. For example, if you wanted to join a Group for Family Members and Loved Ones of Those Living with a Mental Illness, you wouldn’t need a diagnosis. Similarly, if you wanted to join a Support Group for Grief and Bereavement, you also wouldn’t need a diagnosed Mental Illness.

If you are currently in therapy, we advise speaking to your therapist or counsellor about wanting to join a Support Group prior to doing so. While Support Groups create a safe space of mutual sharing, support and understanding, for those needing professional assistance, Support Groups can become a triggering environment, and can potentially have the opposite effect if the member joins the group prior to managing their mental illness.

Due to the vulnerability and susceptibility of the youth, as well as legal requirements, we advise that only people eighteen and older attend and run Support Groups. Responsible practice, and an emphasis on doing good, not harm, means that we recommend that the youth seek other mental health resources where there are a dedicated team that can ensure the safety and well-being of the individual and group, if you are looking for support for your teen please contact one of our SADAG counsellors who will be able to assist you in finding different referrals.

If you are unsure whether a Support Group is for you, please call one of our toll-free lines and a counsellor will assist.

 

What would you say to someone who was interested in joining a Support Group?

 

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