Learn about mental illness this July
Join the South African Depression and Anxiety Group and help break the stigma attached to mental illnesses.
SHAKE off the stigma of mental illness with the South African Depression and Anxiety Group’s (SADAG) this SA Mental Health Awareness Month.
“Society tends to believe that a person with a mental health condition is ‘crazy’, out of control, or incapable. Too often, people don’t try to get help out of fear of how others will react when they find out. SADAG is advocating for change to show that mental illness is nothing shameful, and getting help is possible,” read a statement from SADAG.
#MHFacts Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder can disrupt many areas of a person's life.Learn what Bipolar Disorder is here: https://t.co/Kw4OADf5fi pic.twitter.com/FJozYiyuZu
— SADAG (@TheSADAG) July 5, 2017
According to SADAG, one in three South Africans will suffer from a mental illness at some point in their life and 23 people commit suicide every day.
“This month is all about breaking the stigma and talking about the feelings and thoughts we have that we feel too ashamed to share. These are not shameful – you are not bad or weak or stupid. We all need to support one another, not tear each other down,” said SADAG board member, Nkini Phasha.
#MHFacts If you've had traumatic experiences recently, please complete a PTSD questionnaire here: https://t.co/IKpPLMCu60 pic.twitter.com/erbl2vC5Dz
— SADAG (@TheSADAG) July 3, 2017
SADAD will host a number of events this month to educate people on mental illnesses, including:
- Panic Awareness Day (Monday, 10 July): SADAG will share self-help tips.
- Facebook Friday (14 July): Experts on panic disorder will be available for a chat session from 1pm to 7pm.
- Facebook Friday (28 July): ‘Ask a Doctor’ will be available for a chat session from 1pm to 7pm.
#MHFacts Postnatal/Postpartum Depression can affect a woman after she gives birth.Treatable Mental Health condition NOT a sign of a bad mom. pic.twitter.com/8EOVQCzkHB
— SADAG (@TheSADAG) July 6, 2017
“We’d love for everyone to get involved in our free month-long activities – male, female, younger, older, students, CEOs. Share our posts, ask questions, tell us about your experiences – and let’s keep this going beyond the month of July, because we should be talking about mental health every day of every month of every year,” said SADAG operations director, Cassey Chambers.
Get clued up on mental health facts by following SADAG’s #MHFacts or @TheSADAG or going to www.sadag.org.
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