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Media
If you are writing a story or making a documentary about mental illness, or have any media-related queries, please contact Cassey on (011) 262 6396, or email her on
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Support Groups
If you are interested in starting a Support Group, please contact Emma on (011) 262 6396. Click here to download the Support Group pack.
To find a Support Group in your area, please phone SADAG on (011) 262 6396. |
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Emergency Lines
Suicide Crisis Line
0800 567 567
SMS 31393
Pharmadynamics Police and Trauma Line
0800 20 50 26
AstraZeneca Bipolar Line
0800 20 26 46
Sanofi Aventis Sleep Line
0800-SLEEPY (0800 753 379)
Department of Social Development Substance Abuse Line
0800 12 13 14
SMS 32312
SADAG Mental Health Line
011 262 6396
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... to Africa’s largest mental health support and advocacy group. On this website you will find comprehensive mental health information and resources to help you, a family member or loved one.
2010 marks the 15th Anniversary of the South African Depression and Anxiety group (SADAG). For the last 15 years SADAG has been at the forefront of providing counselling services, mental health awareness programmes, powerful media campaigns, school talks and rural outreach initiatives to thousands of patients, families and communities across South Africa.
SADAG is committed to quality counselling, outreach and capacity building work throughout South Africa, and this commitment to promoting mental health was recognized by the World Bank Development Marketplace in 2003 with a substantial grant towards SADAG’s Rural Development Programme.
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group also boasts over 180 Support Groups nationwide, and has an extensive referral guide reaching into the most remote regions of the country. Highly trained counsellors operate the Mental Health Counselling Centre and the toll free Suicide Crisis Line everyday from 8am to 8pm.
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 | Awareness Day |
Dates |
| Teen Suicide Prevention Week |
14th-21st February |
| Bipolar Awareness Day |
26th May |
| Substance Abuse Prevention Day |
26th June |
| Mental Health Awareness Month |
1st-31st July |
| Panic Awareness Day |
10th July |
| World Suicide Prevention Day |
10th September |
| World Mental Health Day |
10th October |
Teen Suicide Prevention Week
14th – 21st February 2010
Did you know that 9.5% of all teen deaths are due to suicide? How about that suicide is the second leading cause of death in 15 – 24 year-olds? There are some scary statistics emerging about teen suicide – for example: most adolescent suicides occur after school hours and in the teen’s home, and that most adolescent suicide attempts follow fights with friends or family, and many teens who attempt or commit suicide have an undiagnosed psychiatric disorder, many use alcohol or drugs, be the victims of bullying, or may have recently experienced loss. SADAG is committed to preventing tragic teen suicides, whatever the cause. From the 14th to the 21st February is Teen Suicide Prevention Week and SADAG wants to let parents, teachers, and peers know that we don’t need to let teen stress and depression become a crisis. There are things we can do to help and if we all get involved, we can prevent tragic loss of life. If you would like to book a school talk for learners or staff training on suicide prevention, please contact Emma on (011) 262 6396 as soon as possible.
Must-reads for anyone interested in mental health
If you have an interest in mental health, as a patient, caregiver, or student, these books are an absolute must for your bookshelf. And the really fantastic thing is that these books are written by South Africans! "A Memoir of Love and Madness" by Rahla Xenopoulos Rahla Xenopoulos has written a powerful personal insight into Bipolar Disorder and has to be admired for her courage to expose herself without reserve in order to give the outsider an insight into this illness. "A Memoir of Love and Madness" is an honest and moving account of Bipolar Disorder giving the reader insight into this very misunderstood condition. Using snippets from songs and familiar lines Rahla has coloured and enhanced time and emotions without lengthy descriptions, and  the style is easy and flowing. And not without suspense. This fantastic book is available at Exclusive Books. To read more about "A Memoir of Love and Madness", “Eating Disorders” by Prof Chris Szabo  Eating disorders typically affect young females and are amongst the most disabling and lethal of all psychiatric conditions. As former consultant in charge of Tara’s eating disorders unit and a world expert on the subject, Prof Chris Szabo is the perfect author for a new book on eating disorders in South Africa. “Eating Disorders” provides critical information on diagnosis and treatment of  eating disorders. The book is available at R120 (excl. postage). Please contact Rochelle Keene on 011 717 2081 or email
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To read more about "Eating Disorders", “Fly Fishing for Sharks- a memoir of life with OCD” by Andrew Alexander  Most of us have moments of OCD – like checking your pocket six times at the airport to make sure you didn’t leave your passport at home, and we all have “what if” irrational thoughts occasionally. We control these mad thoughts. But what happens when those thoughts control you? To find out read Andrew Alexander’s “Fly Fishing for Sharks”. A powerful memoir that is far from being a “misery memoir”, it’s a profoundly moving account of Andrew’s life with OCD. With a smattering of psychology, a dash of philosophy, heaps of rage, dollops of humour, and lots of raw honesty, this book is a must for OCD sufferers, who will find a source of comfort in what is a gruelling journey to recovery, and also for non-OCD  people who are negotiating their way through life. Fly Fishing for Sharks” is available at Exclusive Books, and Wordsworth Books at a cost of R160,.
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