SADAG offers support to mental illness patients and their families
You don't have to be ashamed about mental illness
Karen Robson runs a support group through the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG).
Robson offers support to family members who are dealing with a person who may have a mental illness.
Drawing from her personal experience, being a mother to a daughter who had suffered from a variety of mental issues, the Marista resident decided to start this support group for people in Ekurhuleni.
When her daughter was 15 years old, Robson remembers seeing a change in her daughter’s behaviour. At first, she thought it was normal teenage behaviour until she took her to a doctor.
“It wasn’t until two years ago that my daughter accepted that she is dealing with a mental illness,” she said.
Robson’s daughter is now 39 years old and she describes the journey of acceptance as difficult and a roller coaster ride.
“You feel anger and resentment but at the same time you have to be understanding because it’s your child,” she said.
Robson said her daughter was always on her own mission most of the time, which made things difficult.
Family members need to educate themselves so that they have a better understanding of what the person is going through.
“I’m a person who deals with facts before making any decision.
“People want a quick fix, they want the person to be okay instantly and it doesn’t work that way.”
The family needs to be understanding with the person who has the condition and the person needs to also play their part.
Robson said people should consider that a person who has a particular mental condition can’t just shake it off like everyone else when they are having a bad day.
Lifeline Ekurhuleni deals with a variety of cases including cases related to suicide.
According to Patricia Kekana, when people call in for assistance there are particular steps that have to be taken.
“There are two incidents that occur when someone attempts to commit suicide, one is when the person is still contemplating and the second is when a person has already taken something,” said Kekana.
When a person is contemplating, certain questions are asked: How are you feeling? Is it the first time you’ve thought of this? What triggered this? Are there things the person needs to address.
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When someone has already taken something, they are asked how long ago did they take that substance or drug, would they like paramedics to be called, are they alone or is there another person where they are and is there someone Lifeline can call.
“The aim is to always keep them on the line and calm them down until the paramedics arrive,” she said.
Kekana said family members can contact Lifeline for assistance should they find themselves in such situations.
The organisation does offer counselling to a person after they have gotten medical assistance.
“We assist with relationship counselling, family counselling, grief, HIV/Aids and abuse,” she said.
For more information contact Robson on 083 417 6087 or Lifeline Ekurhuleni on 011 422 4242.
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