Can you give four hours to help others?
SANDTON - The South African Depression and Anxiety Group is looking for additional telephone counselling volunteers to help callers with mental health queries.
The group runs a 15-line counselling and referral call centre and is known for its patient advocacy, education and destigmatisation of mental illness.
Receiving up to 400 calls per day, the group is open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm and offers counselling to people battling various mental illnesses, including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and trauma.
Their counsellors provide hope for people who need information and feel isolated. The non-governmental organisation is currently looking for counsellors able to volunteer four hours per week.
The group’s operations director Cassey Chambers said, “Whether you are recovering yourself from a mental health problem, or simply have a passion for helping others, we would welcome you.”
She assured all new volunteers that they would receive initial training on arrival. Additional on-site training would take place thereafter, either during the day, or in the evenings to allow for those who work full time.
Senior counsellor Rachel Molongvoana said volunteering has broadened her understanding of herself and others.
“It has made me more tolerant and compassionate, because it has given me insight into issues many of us are usually quick to pass judgement on,” said Molongvoana.
“It has also been incredibly inspiring to realise how much inner strength we all have – people can survive so much heartache,” she added.
Counsellor Venetia Dennis said, “Helping at the call centre and knowing that I may be able to make a difference in someone’s life when things seem too overwhelming for them is a very important part of my life.”
Chambers is aware that many of their counsellors volunteer because of a “deep desire to help others”.
“A lot of them have also personally experienced anxiety or depression and know how comforting it can be to talk to someone who understands when everything seems to be dark in your life,” added Chambers.
Volunteer Naazia Ismail said the group opened up an “entirely new world” for her.
“It gives me the opportunity to help others, while also growing and learning about myself,” she added.
Details: Genevieve 011 783 5533
011 783 5533; zane1@hargray.com
TWITTER: How much time do you spend per month doing voluntary work? Tweet @Sandton_News #sadag #volunteer #mentalhealth #mentalillness #sandton #counselling
