Sandton organisation calls for mental health to be made a priority

Did you know that, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic alone, there was a 25% increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide?

This was according to the World Health Organisation as it highlighted the importance of services, skills and funding for mental health during World Mental Health Awareness Month (October).

In line with this, Sandton-based advocacy organisation the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), who has been working to create awareness of mental illness over the last 28 years, hosted an array of workshops and discussions across its social media platforms in an effort to get more people talking about mental health, breaking the stigma and offering the necessary support to those living in distress.

ALSO READ: Sandton residents spare time to address mental health

According to SADAG operations director Cassey Chambers, the organisation receives over 3 000 calls per day from people throughout the country who are feeling depressed, anxious, burnt out, traumatised and even suicidal.

“These call volumes have continued to increase since the start of the pandemic – with 600 calls per day pre-COVID, to 1 200 calls per day at the beginning of lockdown, to now over 3 000 calls per day, 2 years later, and call volumes are still growing monthly.”

She added that like many countries across the world, South Africa was not prepared for the impact that Covid-19 would have on our mental health as a nation.

“As we move into the next phase, we need to ensure that mental health is prioritised and that we have a strategy to tackle the mental health crisis in South Africa.”

ALSO READ: Henry Cock raises over R1million towards mental health awareness

In an attempt to make mental health resources more easily available, SADAG recently launched its Community Counselling Containers. These containers, piloted in areas such as Diepsloot and Ivory Park, service over 300 000 people for less than R800 000 a year.

Global mental health advocate Chantelle Van Straaten added that as a community making mental health a priority also comes in the form of making people more comfortable with talking about their mental health, which in turn breaks the stigma.

ALSO READ: Creating hope through action – Sadag

Straaten said that mental health and mental illness are often discussions that many families shy away from due to a lack of understanding, fear and/or embarrassment.

“As a child I grew up with close family members struggling with mental health problems, some were diagnosed with clinical conditions. So, I have always been very aware of the shame that comes with mental health conditions and also how society reacts to and treats people that have to manage these health conditions,” said Van Straaten during a recent Twitter Spaces discussion.

ALSO READ: Sadag launch support group for panic and anxiety

She added that after being diagnosed with a mental health condition herself and beyond trying to figure out what that means for her, she also soon understood that in sharing her experiences, there were often preconceived ideas about who she was and what she should be.

“At many times I heard humiliating and often indignant language being used in the space of some conversations around me and online.

“I think these kinds of experiences really spurred my activism and fuelled my drive to make a small change in the narrative. Having these types of discussions is a big step in the right direction.”

ALSO READ: Sadag launches support group to aid women

To learn more about SADAG’s activities, events and information, or to reach out for free mental health help, please visit www.sadag.org or contact SADAG on 0800 70 80 90; 0800 21 22 23 or SMS 31393.

ALSO READ: End the stigma against mental health – Sadag