Grocott's Mail
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Saturday, July 12
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Grocott's Mail
    • NEWS
      • Courts & Crime
      • Features
      • Politics
      • People
      • Health & Well-being
    • SPORT
      • News
      • Results
      • Sports Diary
      • Club Contacts
      • Columns
      • Sport Galleries
      • Sport Videos
    • OPINION
      • Election Connection
      • Makana Voices
      • Deur ‘n Gekleurde Bril
      • Newtown… Old Eyes
      • Incisive View
      • Your Say
    • CUE
      • Cue Archives
    • ARTSLIFE
      • Makana Sharp!
      • Visual Art
      • Literature
      • Food
      • Festivals
      • Community Arts
      • Going Places
    • OUR TOWN
      • What’s on
      • Spiritual
      • Emergency & Well-being
      • Covid-19
      • Safety
      • Civic
      • Municipality
      • Weather
      • Properties
        • Grahamstown Properties
      • Your Town, Our Town
    • OUTSIDE
      • Enviro News
      • Gardening
      • Farming
      • Science
      • Conservation
      • Motoring
      • Pets/Animals
    • ECONOMIX
      • Business News
      • Entrepreneurship
      • Personal Finance
    • EDUCATION
      • Education NEWS
      • Education OUR TOWN
      • Education INFO
    • EDITORIAL
    Grocott's Mail
    You are at:Home»OUR TOWN»Health & wellbeing»The mental health crisis and how to find help
    Health & wellbeing

    The mental health crisis and how to find help

    Nyx McleanBy Nyx McleanDecember 9, 2021No Comments4 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

    By SHANNON SKAE, Health Coach at Revive with Shan

    Content warning: Suicide

    Poor mental health continues to be a crisis in South Africa, with recent numbers showing that over one-third of South Africans are affected. The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) reported that since October 2021, suicide numbers have increased.

    SADAG reports that there are an estimated 23 suicides and 460 attempted suicides per day in South Africa. It is unclear how many go unreported. Calls to the SADAG helpline have significantly increased from 600 per day to approximately 2200.

    The increase in attempted and completed suicide rates is attributed to poor mental health, which is compounded by the consequences of COVID-19. These include the ever-changing lockdown levels, job loss, low employment rates for recent graduates, separation from families and friends, poor physical health, little to no exercise, a struggling economy, isolation, and the ongoing uncertainty as to exactly when COVID-19 will be under control. Coupled with media consumption such as social media and negative comments and stories found online, people receive the continuous message that the world is not safe.

    This is not an easy place to find ourselves in. It is no surprise that many are experiencing poor mental health such as anxiety, and depression, among others.

    We are now two years into life with COVID-19. The initial empathy, kindness, and the understanding that we are all suffering through this together seem to be lost. Many treat this as the new normal and forget the real consequences COVID-19 has caused to our lives. There are those expected by their employers or even their families to ‘get on with it’ or ‘shrug it off’. This is not fair or kind; we do not know how people may suffer, especially because distress caused by poor mental health is largely invisible.

    If people feel that others do not understand their mental health, they may become more isolated and depressed than they already are. Or they may feel too anxious to reach out to others for support. This, unfortunately, may amplify their depression and anxiety and add a greater sense of loneliness and disconnect from the community.

    Community is essential here because mental health is a societal issue that applies to everyone. While we may suffer alone, many of us – a third of us – experience poor mental health. Take a look around you the next time you are in a queue at a shop. Every third person in front of you is potentially suffering from depression, anxiety, or other mental health illness or disorder.

    We cannot continue to treat poor mental health as something removed from us; we only isolate others even more and exacerbate their distress. Suicide can be prevented if we create safe and caring spaces for people to reach out and feel supported and heard. Let us be more compassionate towards others, especially as we enter the festive season, a time in the year when stress and depression may worsen.

    If you, or a loved one, are experiencing distress, please reach out for help and support.

    National helplines:

    LifeLine South Africa: 0861322322

    Suicide Crisis Line: 0800567567

    South African Depression & Anxiety Group: 0800121314

    Adcock Ingram Depression and Anxiety Helpline: 0800708090

    In Makhanda, these support structures are available:

    Settlers Hospital (Milner Street): 046 602 5000

    Settlers offers acute psychiatric services for emergencies: please visit casualty to access these services.

    Settlers Day Hospital (Cobden Street): 046 622 3033

    Makana Community Psychotherapy Services offers community counselling services.

    Fort England Hospital: 046 602 2300

    For outpatient services, please contact the Clinical Secretary at extension 2352.

    Local clinics

    Your local clinic can assist in referring you to a hospital or nearby facility.

    Other resources can be found here.

     

     

     

     

    Previous ArticleThe house of hope
    Next Article Weekly rainfall report – 2-8 December
    Nyx Mclean

      Comments are closed.

      Code of Ethics and Conduct
      GROCOTT’S SUBSCRIPTION
      RMR
      Listen to RMR


      Humans of Makhanda

      Humans of Makhanda

      Weather    |     About     |     Advertise     |     Subscribe     |     Contact     |     Support Grocott’s Mail

      © 2025 Maintained by School of Journalism & Media Studies.

      Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.