The festive season can bring a lot of joy for different reasons; however, there are those struck with depressive feelings during this time of year.

The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) is encouraging residents to take care of their mental health this festive season.

SADAG call centre manager, Tracy Feinstein, says that around this time of year, people can find themselves alone, exhausted, and overcome with feelings of anxiety.

“For many people, they are not able to be with loved ones. They are in different locations, different provinces, and even in different countries. It’s a sad time when they can’t be together. For many people at this stage, at the end of the year, they are feeling incredibly overwhelmed, physically exhausted, and the anxiety around how to calm down, still work hard, and generate income to support their family is a lot to cope with.

“So, whilst the retail markets and social media reflect that it’s a season of joy and there’s lots of happiness and festivities around, many people are battling to experience the joy and happiness that comes with the festive season,” Feinstein said.

Feinstein says that the volume of calls that they receive on the SADAG helplines continues to grow throughout the year, and during the holidays it’s no different.

She says that due to the free time people have available during this period, they are more likely to phone in, speak to a counsellor and receive information related to easing what they are going through.

“Some of the common issues coming up during the holiday season are a lot of sadness, uncertainty over a lack of employment, and therefore financial comfort during this time, so that’s very difficult.

“We do find that they are broken families, and relationships are incredibly hard to deal with. People experience grief, and if they lost a loved one during the year, this may be the first festive season without that loved one or without their family or friends. It’s a difficult time, and a lot of people can’t cope with the grief.

“There’s also a lot of stress around academic studies and results. There are a lot of reasons people phone in, but commonly it’s due to loneliness, grief, financial struggles, and employment are the big ones regarding why people call in. It’s great that they do because they can speak to a counsellor,” Feinstein said.

Some tips Feinstein recommends to cope with the holiday blues include taking a digital detox: limit your screen time, get of the house and take care of your mental health.

Talk to yourself positively, trying to find something in each day that is good, and take some physical rest.

Above all, don’t be afraid to reach out.

Feinstein recommends that those who have feelings of self-harm reach out to the many helplines available.

SADAG has 24-hour helplines available, several WhatsApp channels that are available between 08:00-17:00. Callers can remain anonymous, and get advice on which avenues of support they can reach out to in their respective areas.

“The loss of a life is permanent, and it’s incredibly tragic when you find out people never knew that they could reach out to a speak to a counsellor. Most people who are feeling isolated and alone, feel like that there’s no one to talk, and listen to, and that is what the SADAG counsellor will do.

“Don’t do this alone, don’t harm yourself, your life is important, you are a valued individual, and please reach out to SADAG, make that call,” Feinstein said.

Feinstein says that heading into 2026, a lot more ground forces are needed in hospitals, schools, and rehab centres, and other centres that can help address mental health struggles.

Residents are invited to the launch of SADAG’s Festive Feelings Survey Results as Dr Bronwyn Dworzanowski-Venter unpacks surprising insights, emotional trends, and the biggest mental health pressures shared by over 2 000 participants.

The webinar will be live on Zoom and Facebook on December 10 from 10:00-11:30.

Register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/P6WzEdf-RLay8LOArjMNIw

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