Anxiety group commemorates mental illness awareness month
JOBURG - OVER 30 percent of South Africans do, or are likely to, have a mental illness and yet 80 percent of people with a mental illness do not get treatment.
These startling statistics were revealed by the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) ahead of mental health awareness month, which runs from 1 to 31 July.
The group listed the most common mental illnesses in the country, with Dr Frans Korb, psychiatrist and psychologist, listing depression and anxiety as the two most common illnesses.
“Many people go undiagnosed and untreated because they don’t know the signs and symptoms and [they often] suffer in silence for years,” he said.
Cassey Chambers, on behalf of the group, further elaborated that stigma remained the main reason many suffered in silence, as there was fear of judgement and discrimination against those in need of help.
Chambers added that only by educating people about mental illness, can awareness be created and people encouraged to seek treatment.
Additionally, the group aims to create as much awareness as possible and this will be done through their I AM campaign, their helpline, various support groups and two Facebook chats scheduled for July.
Other mental health statistics include:
- 1 in 4 people in the workplace have been diagnosed with depression
- 1 in 4 female teens have made one or more suicide attempts
- 31.5 percent of teens have attempted suicide and need medical treatment
- Anxiety Disorders, of which 15.8 percent of people suffer from it, is one of the most prevalent lifetime mental disorders
Details: To contact Sadag, call the toll-free helpline: 0800 70 80 90, SMS 3139 or visit www.sadag.org
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