Support for depression sufferers
With October being Mental Health Awareness Month, the East Rand Depression and Anxiety Support Group wants to educate and create awareness about related issues.
The group provides comprehensive mental health information and resources to help people suffering from depression and anxiety.
It forms part of Africa’s largest mental health support and advocacy group, the South African Depression and Anxiety group (Sadag).
The group consists of people at different stages of recovery and with most of the common mental illnesses, including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, panic attacks and schizophrenia.
It is managed with a very strong coaching philosophy of self-help for depression sufferers, ultimately educating the sufferer on how to live a successful life with depression.
The group offers advice, acceptance, encouragement, referrals and so much more – all at no financial expenses to the sufferer.
There are a multitude of services and roles that the group fulfils, including:
– It gives the sufferer a voice and helps them take control, providing stability and security.
– It is a safe haven, a place in which members can feel respected, validated and nurtured.
– It creates a culture of equality, a place where everyone understands and no one judges.
– It builds a common identity: sharing symptoms will allow members to realise that they are not alone and that others feel the same; a shared burden.
– It is non-judgemental as there is an unwritten code of confidentiality within the group.
– Each member’s privacy and dignity is respected.
Group sessions are held every second Saturday, at the LifeLine offices, corner Russel Street and Mowbray Avenue.
For more information contact Carlo Pretorius on 082 880 2941.
