Sadag reflects on an unprecedented year
Call volumes have increased by 63 per cent since last year.
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) said 2020 had been an unprecedented year for the organisation.
Operations director Cassey Chambers said, “We thought we were busy before Covid, and then lockdown happened and our call volumes doubled overnight. We had to adapt really quickly and ensure that there was no disruption in our services as so many people were reaching out who needed help.
“For the first time in 26 years we had to close the call centre and we had only three days to do that.”
The entire helpline was moved remotely with more than 180 volunteers working from home.
Chambers said the high call volumes meant that the Sadag team had to work harder and longer than ever before.
“Hearing the stories of people getting help and support in their hardest times makes everything worthwhile and keeps us working harder to help more people and advocate for better mental health.”
Chambers added that Covid-19 highlighted the importance of mental health and how more resources were needed to assist those in need of help.
She said callers were struggling with anxiety and stress, depression, substance abuse and suicide, and more volunteers were recruited and trained to assist with higher call volumes over the hard lockdown period.
Chambers added that call volumes between January and September this year increased by 63 per cent from last year, with the majority of callers between 18 and 35. The treatment gap for mental health was very low with only one in 10 people experiencing a mental health issue receiving mental healthcare.
Addressing the stresses on young people at this time, Chambers said, “It’s okay not to be okay. But there is help, you don’t have to do it alone.”
Details: Call 080 021 2223 or 080 012 1314 or www.sadag.org
