Help keep Sadag suicide line open
JOBURG – The Democratic Alliance Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, Jack Bloom has initiated a challenge following news that the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) is in danger of closing due to a lack of funds.
Bloom said he personally donated R1 000 towards the organisation and challenged others to do the same.
“I have visited their offices in Rivonia in north Johannesburg and was most impressed by the good work done by volunteers who answer calls from people at a crisis point in their lives,” he said.
Bloom added that Sadag’s annual running costs were about R1 million which included a monthly telephone bill of between R40 000 and R60 000 for their 24-hour toll-free line.
“When they started in 1994, then health minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma assisted them with funds, but they are now totally dependent on private donors to keep going,” added Bloom.
“Their suicide hotline cannot be allowed to fail because of a loss of funds.”
Bloom said he would appeal to the Gauteng Health Department to provide some assistance to Sadag. “But private donors will always be needed and should come forward now,” he said.
Donations can be made through Sadag’s website.
Details: www.sadag.org
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