Dear Colleagues

I hope you are doing well.

The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) launched Mental Health Awareness Month on 5 July.

Throughout this month, SADAG will be partnering with local celebrities to educate South Africans on mental health and fight the stigma surrounding mental illness. Society tends to believe that a person with a mental health condition is ‘crazy’, out of control, or incapable. Too often, people don’t try to get help out of fear of how others will react when they find out. SADAG is advocating for change to show that mental illness is nothing shameful, and getting help is possible.

In South Africa, 1 in 3 people will experience a mental illness in their lifetime. With so many of us affected by mental health conditions in one way or another, it’s vital that we have open and honest conversations. Education is the only way we can stop the discrimination that still silences so many.

To help people better understand mental illness and how they can support a loved one, SADAG is running a number of activities during July, alongside the online DID YOU KNOW? Campaign. 

This month will also see two free Facebook Friday online Q&As with experts on the topic of Panic Disorder (14 July) and Ask the Doctor (28 July). Everyone is welcome to join these chats and communicate directly with the experts at 1pm and at 7pm on the SADAG Facebook page. (Please see document attached).

In August, SADAG will be hosting a corporate mental health workshop to create awareness in the working environment of how mental illness can impact employees. A local study on Depression in the workplace found that half of those diagnosed with this condition have taken time off work at some point because of it.

Please do not hesitate to contact the EHW office should you need any information regarding mental illness or a referral to a mental health practitioner.