Sadag seeks volunteers
JOBURG – The South African Depression and Anxiety Group are looking for mature and compassionate volunteers to assist at their call centre.
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) is looking for compassionate and mature telephone counsellors who will be able to volunteer at their call centre in Rivonia.
Growing by the day, the group has increased in visibility and is looking for more people to assist them. The non-governmental organisation is the largest mental health advocacy group in South Africa and receives up to 400 calls per day. Sadag assists callers from across South Africa with mental health queries and is open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm, of which volunteers can select a four-hour shift that suits them.
Read: Sadag dispels misconceptions around OCD
Volunteers will be trained formally and given on-site training, which can be started when convenient and be conducted during the day, evenings or on weekends, for those who work full time.
A volunteer who has been counselling at Sadag for more than 20 years said the work had taught her humility and made her aware of the desperate need for mental health education and help.
Another volunteer said, “I have learnt about poverty or joblessness, and it has affected my life in a positive way and I have learnt to talk to people with confidence. Sadag has inspired me to push for people who need help and not settle for just anything.”
Sadag described volunteering as a rewarding experience that highlighted the important role each person could play in the community.
One person who received help from Sadag said, “You might feel like everything is hopeless and overwhelming, but they understand what you are going through and know how to help you. It just took one call that helped me.”
Applications close on 19 August.
Details: For more information, contact Lara or Tiffany on 011 234 4837 or email info@anxiety.org.za
