Tag Archives: South African Depression and Anxiety Group

Depression has no face

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When you live with depression, you become very good at hiding your feelings and wearing a mask. Depression doesn’t have a face.

Depression has no face

Sometimes you try hard to overcompensate with exaggerated optimism. At other times you can’t get the energy up to socialise at all and you withdraw completely for a few weeks.

But things will change. You’re not alone. No matter who you are, there are people who care. You will get through the lows, but it’s easier with people supporting you. In the meantime, it’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to admit you need help. You’re human.

If you need to talk to someone, call the South African Suicide Crisis Line on 0800 567 567 or the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) Mental Health Line on 011 234 4837.

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Check out the Mental Health episode on Al Jazeera TV

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Last week Al Jazeera screened a roundtable discussion about mental health on the Stream, its online TV show. The chat covered the impact of mental illness on people around the world, in particular the youth, and some of the global issues causing mental health to be a taboo subject in many societies.

The studio participants included a teacher with obsessive compulsive disorder, a psychologist, a mental health advocate and a senior counsellor from the South African Depression and Anxiety Group. I also had the honour of sharing my perspective in a video clip featured in the show. This episode turned out to be an illuminating, well-balanced conversation on one of the most relevant and controversial topics in healthcare. Please watch it when you have a moment.