SADAG offers free support for post-traumatic stress and skin conditions
SADAG is launching two free online mental health groups to support those living with post-traumatic stress and those struggling to cope with their skin conditions.
IN a bid to support and raise awareness surrounding mental health and wellness, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) is launching two online support groups that will deal directly with those struggling to cope with skin conditions and people living with post-traumatic stress.
Ayathandwa Booi from SADAG said the two groups will provide a safe space for individuals living with post-traumatic stress and those coping with the challenges of skin conditions and mental wellness respectively.
“Each group is focused on connection, understanding, and resilience, offering members a chance to share their experiences and find support. With these initiatives, SADAG continues to expand its commitment to creating inclusive and supportive mental health services,” said Booi.
The group for post-traumatic stress will be headed by Sinenhlanhla Mthethwa and will be launched on Saturday, January 18. Mthethwa, who has a passion for helping those in need, said, “There is a dire need for healing in the world”.
Mthethwa is a health safety officer studying towards a BA majoring in psychology and mental health integration “which is spiritual and academic”.
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“I believe we need to find the root of the wound, the heart of the matter. Post-traumatic stress can come from your childhood, affecting you now as an adult, or it can come from what happened just this morning. In addressing these matters as a support group, we carry each other’s burdens, gathering collective strength,” said Mthethwa.
Her Online Group is launching on Saturday, November 18 at 8am. For more details on how to join, contact 067 932 8071.
The support group offering help to those struggling with skin conditions will be launched online on Wednesday, January 15, at 18:00. The support group will be headed by Zamansele, who herself struggled with severe acne from a very young age which affected her mental health.
She said, “The reason I started the support group is because of my own struggles with having severe acne from a very young age. Usually, people tend to fixate on your physical imperfections that they forget that beneath the surface there’s a real person with real feelings. For anyone who has any kind of skin condition, they can tell you that they seldom get asked how they are doing emotionally or mentally; the focus is always on their physical appearance. So that is why I want to create a safe space where we get to fight silent battles loudly.”
For more information or to join the support group, contact Zamansele on 067 995 6133.
To learn more about SADAG’s other Mental Health Support Groups, visit our website www.sadag.org, or call 0800 21 22 23 or SMS 31393 to speak to a counsellor.
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