“I was desperate for help,” says Wilson, who was eventually referred to a psychiatrist at a public hospital. “He put me on medication that helped, but only for a short while. I was sent home with a prescription but no plan, and no one to talk to about what was happening to me.”
Wilson realised that there was a gap in mental health services in South Africa. She started the South African Depression and Anxiety Group in 1994, with the aim of providing support for those struggling with mental health issues.
Since its inception, Sadag has grown to become one of the leading mental health NGOs in South Africa. They provide a helpline, support groups, educational resources, and advocacy for mental health awareness.
Despite the challenges faced by many NGOs in South Africa, Sadag has managed to survive and thrive. Their focus on providing practical support and resources for those in need has set them apart from other organisations.
Wilson’s personal journey with mental health issues has driven her to create a space where others can find the help and support they need. Through Sadag, she has been able to make a lasting impact on the mental health landscape in South Africa.
As Wilson continues to live abroad, her legacy lives on through the work of Sadag. The organisation’s commitment to providing mental health support for all South Africans is a testament to Wilson’s vision and determination.
For those struggling with mental health issues, Sadag remains a beacon of hope and support. Through their helpline and resources, they continue to make a difference in the lives of many.
As Wilson reflects on her journey, she remains grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those struggling with mental health issues. She hopes that Sadag will continue to be a source of support and inspiration for many years to come.
With her legacy firmly established, Wilson looks forward to the future with optimism and gratitude. As she continues to advocate for mental health awareness and support, her impact on the mental health landscape in South Africa will be felt for years to come.
For Wilson, the journey is far from over. As she continues to work towards her goal of providing mental health support for all South Africans, she remains dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those in need.
As Sadag celebrates its 30th anniversary, Wilson looks back on her journey with pride and satisfaction. The organisation’s impact on the mental health landscape in South Africa is a testament to her vision and determination.
As the story of Sadag continues to unfold, Wilson’s legacy will live on through the work of the organisation. Her dedication to providing mental health support for all South Africans is a lasting testament to her commitment to making a difference in the lives of those in need.
Chambers and her team at Sadag mobilised the media, the public, and the courts to bring attention to the crisis. They were instrumental in shining a light on the tragedy, and ultimately played a key role in holding the government accountable for the deaths of over 140 mental health patients.
“We knew that we had to act fast to prevent further loss of life,” says Chambers. “Our network of counsellors and support groups allowed us to gather information quickly and accurately, and bring it to the attention of the public and the authorities.”
Today, Sadag continues to be a beacon of hope for those struggling with mental health issues in South Africa. Their helplines provide a lifeline for thousands of people every year, and their support groups offer a sense of community and understanding that is often hard to find elsewhere.
“We are proud of the work we do at Sadag, but we know that there is still so much more to be done,” says Chambers. “Mental health issues are still stigmatized in our society, and many people suffer in silence because they are afraid to seek help. Our goal is to break down those barriers, and ensure that everyone has access to the support and care they need.”
For Wilson, the journey from a place of despair to a position of strength has been long and challenging, but ultimately rewarding.
“I never could have imagined that my own struggles with panic disorder would lead me to build an organization like Sadag,” she says. “But I am grateful for the opportunity to help others, and to make a real difference in the lives of those who are suffering.”
And for the countless individuals who have found solace and support through Sadag, Wilson’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, compassion, and the unwavering belief that change is possible, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
These are the calls that really get to you,” she says.
Lu adds that it’s not just the calls themselves that are tough, but also the aftermath.
“After a call like that, we have to keep on working. We have to keep on answering calls,” she says. “So, we have to debrief, and then go back out there and take another call.”
The call centre staff are trained to handle such situations, but that doesn’t make them any easier to deal with.
“There’s a big misconception that we’re robots,” says Sampear. “That we don’t have feelings, or that we don’t take it home with us.”
Heynemann nods. “We take it home with us,” she says. “We can’t help it. We’re human at the end of the day.”
Despite the emotional toll, the team at Sadag remains committed to helping those in need. They provide a crucial lifeline for individuals struggling with mental health issues, offering support, guidance, and resources to help them through their darkest moments.
As Chambers puts it, “Sadag may have branched out in recent years, but its heart remains the call centre and helping people every day who call in for help.”
With the mental health crisis in South Africa showing no signs of abating, the work of organizations like Sadag is more important than ever. By providing vital mental health services and support to those in need, they are helping to save lives and make a difference in the lives of countless individuals and families across the country. She has been with Sadag for 27 years, and she says the organisation has come a long way in that time. But there are still many challenges ahead.
One of the biggest challenges, according to Heynemann, is the lack of government support for mental health initiatives. “We need to see more funding, more resources being put into mental health,” she says. “The demand is there, the need is there, but the support is lacking.”
Cordeiro agrees, saying that mental health needs to be prioritised by the government. “We need to see mental health being integrated into the public health system,” she says. “We need to see more mental health professionals being trained and employed in public health facilities.”
There are signs of progress, though. The South African government recently launched a national mental health policy framework, which aims to improve mental health services and support across the country. The framework includes provisions for community-based mental health services, as well as measures to reduce stigma and discrimination against people with mental health issues.
For Sadag, the hope is that this framework will lead to increased support for mental health initiatives, including helplines like theirs. “We need to see more awareness around mental health, more education, more resources,” says Heynemann. “We need to see mental health being taken seriously by everyone, from the government to the public.”
As for the counsellors themselves, they continue to do the work they do because they believe in its importance. “At the end of the day, we’re here to help people,” says Sampear. “We’re here to listen, to support, to guide. And that’s what keeps us going, even on the tough days.”
And despite the challenges they face, the counsellors at Sadag remain committed to their work. “It’s not always easy,” says Heynemann. “But it’s always worth it.” Sadag, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group, is a vital organization dedicated to providing support and resources for mental health in communities across the country. At the forefront of this organization is a strong and determined leader, speaking with a sense of urgency and determination to make a difference in the lives of those struggling with mental health issues.
As she remains firmly at the helm of Sadag, it is clear that she is acutely aware of the challenges and obstacles that individuals face on a daily basis. “There’s so much to do, but nothing is more important than creating safe and effective spaces in communities where counsellors can work,” she emphasizes.
One of the ways in which Sadag has successfully implemented this vision is through the establishment of mobile clinics and converted shipping containers in areas like Diepsloot and Ivory Park in Gauteng. These converted containers, which cost around a million rand a year to manage, have proven to be effective in providing much-needed mental health services to populations of around 300,000.
Despite the success of these initiatives, there is a sense of frustration in her voice as she highlights the need for more of these facilities across the country. “There should be 50 in the country, not just two,” she asserts, underscoring the importance of expanding access to mental health services in underserved communities.
While Sadag continues to lead the way in demonstrating how progressive policies can be translated into practical and affordable structures, the call to action is clear: it is time for the government to step up and do its part in supporting mental health initiatives.
As she continues to advocate for the importance of mental health services and support, it is evident that her commitment to this cause is unwavering. Sadag is here to stay, but the time for action is now. The message is clear: the government must prioritize mental health and invest in creating a network of accessible and effective mental health services for all South Africans.
This article was produced by the Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism. For more information and updates, sign up for their newsletter.
