South Africa. Feeling alone can be one of the hardest parts of living with a mental health issue. For many people experiencing depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, unemployment, or other difficult life circumstances, finding someone who genuinely understands what they are going through can make a huge difference. The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) is launching several free online support groups, creating safe and accessible spaces where people can connect with others who have walked a similar journey.
SADAG offers free Mental Health support
The groups are facilitated by peers with lived experience – people who understand firsthand what it can feel like to live with Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Unemployment and other issues. For many South Africans, accessing mental health support is not as simple as finding a service and making an appointment. Transport costs, distance, work commitments, family responsibilities and a lack of mental health resources in smaller towns and rural or outlying communities can all create barriers to accessing
support.
SADAG Support Group Coordinator, Anita McKenzie shares,
“One of the greatest advantages of Online Support Groups is that they bring people together regardless of where they live. You don’t have to travel to a venue, take time off work or spend money on transport to find a community that understands you. You can connect from your home, your workplace or wherever you have access to the internet, and suddenly you are part of a group of people from across South Africa who understand what you are experiencing.”
Support Group Leaders Kanyisa and Udi speak about the value of Support Groups and what people can gain from being part of them. Kanyisa says, “There is real value in hearing how someone else has approached a similar challenge. It can offer a different perspective, new ways of coping and the encouragement to keep moving forward, especially when things feel difficult.” Udi adds,
“A support group can give people the freedom to speak honestly about what they are experiencing without feeling that they have to explain or hide it. It also gives people the opportunity to learn from different experiences, build confidence and develop tools that can help them manage difficult times.”
“Support Groups have always been part of SADAG’s DNA. SADAG itself began as a Support Group because people recognised the incredible value of coming together to support one another. Today, we want to bring that same spirit of connection to even more people across South Africa by using online platforms to make support more accessible, particularly for people who may otherwise struggle to reach services,” says Anita.
SADAG’s origins are rooted in the belief that people should not have to face mental health issues alone. Decades later, that principle remains at the heart of the organisation’s work. New online groups build on this legacy by creating communities that are not limited by geography.
SADAG’s online Support Groups are free, providing an accessible additional layer of support for people who may be struggling emotionally or experiencing isolation. New groups are being introduced across a range of needs and experiences, including groups focused on Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Unemployment and other areas of support.
Online Support Groups
The New Online Support Groups launching this month include:
- Thursday, 20 August at 7pm: Udi Udartha Ramesar launches an Online Mental Health Support Group for Bipolar Disorder, meeting on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month. For more information, contact Udi at 084 498 6929.
- Sunday, 23 August at 4pm: Ilze Gopal launches an Online Mental Health Support Group for Depression and Bipolar Disorder, meeting once a month on Sundays. For more information, contact Ilze on 079 216 0806.
- Wednesday, 26 August at 6pm: Jane Dineo Mofokeng launches an Online Mental Health Support Group for Depression, meeting every Wednesday. For more information, contact Jane at [email protected].
- Saturday, 29 August at 2pm: Kanyisa Baduza launches a Free Online Support Group for Depression and Anxiety related to Unemployment, meeting twice a month on Saturdays. For more information, WhatsApp Kanyisa on 076 018 2415.
- Monday, 31 August at 7pm: Rebaone Ramasodi launches a Free Online Mental Health Support Group for young adults aged 18 to 35 who are unemployed or recent graduates, meeting every second Monday. For more information, contact Rebaone on 076 813 7013
SADAG encourages people who are struggling with their Mental Health not to wait until things become overwhelming before asking for help. If you or someone you know is struggling with Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Unemployment or another Mental Health
concern, contact the SADAG Mental Health Helpline on 0800 21 22 23. You can also WhatsApp a Counsellor on 087 163 2030, available seven days a week from 8am to 5pm. To find out more about SADAG’s Mental Health Support Groups and services, visit the website.
