THE end of the year is supposed to be a time for merry festivities for everyone. Sadly, for some people, it is when they have to deal with the realities of loneliness and emotional distress.

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Lifeline director, Pravisha Dhanapalan, said December is usually a period that sees an increase in the number of phone calls they get from people who feel they have reached the end of their line and have no other option, but to harm themselves.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has made things even worse because the feeling of being confined during the successive lockdowns has affected some people badly. There has also been a marked increase in cases of domestic violence,” said Pravisha.

Emotional distress can be caused by a number of factors, but mostly it is loss of income, alcohol abuse, having no family or friends to talk to, or experiencing a personal tragedy.

“What people should know is that there is always someone to talk to. If they call us we are able to arrange for a confidential face-to-face interview or refer to them to proper channels where they can get the kind of emotional support they need.”

To talk to someone from Lifeline, call 031 312 2323.  

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