Awareness on depression and anxiety in month of July

DEPRESSION and anxiety are some of the most common mental illnesses in the country and many people go undiagnosed and untreated because they don’t know the signs and symptoms and suffer in silence for years, according to Dr Frans Korb, a well-known psychiatrist and psychologist from Johannesburg.

According to the SA Stress and Health Study (SASH, 2007), only 15,4% of people with a mental disorder receive treatment and over 80% of people with a mental disorder did not get treatment.

In South Africa, one in three people will or do have a mental illness and yet 80% of people with a mental illness do not get treatment. For Mental Health Awareness Month from in July, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag), the country’s leading mental health advocacy group, wants to create as much awareness as possible to encourage more people to seek help, treatment and support.

Mental illness is fast becoming one of the world’s biggest problems according to the World Health Organisation (WHO. By the year 2030, mental health will be the leading cause of disability in the world.

Due to the high prevalence of depression and anxiety in the country, Sadag through a grant from Adcock Ingram Pharmaceuticals, will launch a dedicated depression and anxiety helpline (0800 70 80 90) which will offer free telephonic counselling and referrals for callers to resources such as psychologists, psychiatrists, GPs, hospitals, clinics, support groups, counselling centers and other NGOs nationwide. By having a dedicated helpline for people with depression or anxiety, as well as their family members and loved ones to call for help, more people will have access to treatment, care and support.

“Stigma is still a major problem in South African society. Many people don’t know where to go or who to speak to for help. People fear that they will be judged or discriminated against or that others will think that they are weak. By educating the population about mental illness, we can create more awareness and encourage more people to seek treatment,” says Sadag’s Cassey Chambers.

How can you get in touch with Sadag: toll-free helpline: 0800 70 80 90, SMS: 31393 or website: www.sadag.org.