You South Africa – 22 August 2019

GALLO

IMAGES/GETTY

IMAGES

SCipla24-hourmentalhealthhelpline:

0800-456-789

SPharmadynamicspoliceandtraumaline:

0800-20-50-26

SAdcockIngramdepressionandanxiety

helpline:0800-70-80-90

SDestinyhelplineforyouthandstudents:

0800-41-42-43

SDepartmentofsocialdevelopment

24-hoursubstanceabusehelpline:

0800-12-13-14(SMS32312)

SSuicidecrisisline:0800-567-567

SSADepressionandAnxietyGroup(Sadag)

mentalhealthline:011-234-4837

SAkeso24-hourpsychiatricresponseunit:

0861-435-787

The expert says Even though South Af-

rica faces an increasing mental health

burden – worsened by drug use, violence

and unhealthy lifestyles – 80% of psy-

chologists work in the private sector,

according to Shifra Jacobson, coordina-

tor and supervisor of The Counselling

Hub. This is why facilities such as the

Hub are so important.

“In the public sector there are such

limited numbers of mental health work-

ers employed by the state that it’s diffi-

cult to do the everyday counselling many

of us need to flourish,” Jacobson says.

Is it for you? The Counselling Hub isn’t

only for those who don’t have access to

medical aid but also for people on med-

ical aid after they’ve run out of funds,

co-founder Romi Kaplan says.

The centre has access to lay coun-

sellors, qualified psychologists and

students (who all work voluntarily) and

provides short-term counselling of no

more than six sessions to help people get

back on their feet during crises.

Cost The Counselling Hub charges R50

a session. Many NPOs offer their services

for free.

UNIVERSITY TRAINING CLINICS

How they work Many universities run

counselling clinics where trainee psy-

chologists provide outpatient services to

the community surrounding the univer-

sity as part of their coursework.

The expert says Counselling services

are provided by three kinds of trainees,

says Professor Greg Howcroft, director at

Nelson Mandela University’s Psychology

Clinic (UCLIN).

“Services are offered either by intern

psychologists in their final year of train-

ing, registered psychologists in their

fourth year of training or master’s stu-

dents in their fifth year.”

Is it for you? Although UCLIN caters to

the community surrounding the univer-

sity, it aims to serve mainly lower income

citizens who can’t afford therapy.

Cost UCLIN has two campuses in Port

Elizabeth, one in Summerstrand and one

in Missionvale, and rates range from

R220-R500 for individual sessions and

R60-R100 for group sessions.

Clients who aren’t on medical aid are

charged R70 a session but the facility also

considers fee reductions if a client is

destitute.

SUPPORT GROUPS

How they work These are networks of

peoplewhovoluntarilygettogether,

either in person or online, because they

face similar problems such as struggling

with infertility, divorce, bereavement,

substance abuse, mental illness, anxiety

or depression. During their sessions they

find solace, insights and support from

one another.

The benefits of joining a support group

include feeling less lonely, isolated or

judged. Group members gain a sense of

empowerment and control, and improve

their coping and adjustment skills.

They have the opportunity to speak

openly and honestly about their feelings,

share practical advice and compare

notes on resources.

Family members of those suffering

with certain conditions also form groups.

The expert says While acknowledging

the many benefits of support groups,

Cape Town-based specialist psychiatrist

Dr Bavi Vythilingum warns that a group

shouldn’t always be seen as a complete

replacement for therapy.

“Support groups don’tdealwitha

specificsetofproblemsthewaytherapy

does and won’t look at the reasons you

became ill. If the facilitator is poor,

attending group sessions could worsen

your illness or even hasten a breakdown

by not providing a safe space.”

Is it for you? “Talking to people who’ve

been through the same experience will

make you feel safe, knowing you won’t be

judged,” Vythilingum says, adding you

can learn from their experience and feel

reassured that you aren’t alone.

“Once you get better, a support group

can also enable you to give back to fel-

low sufferers, something that’s reward-

ing and might help you complete the

healing process.”

Cost Many support groups cost noth-

ing. To find a support group best suited

to your needs, call Sadag’s mental

health line (see below).

“One of our lay counsellors will assess

your situation and try to locate a well-

suited support group in your area,” Phil-

lips says. S

EXTRASOURCES:SADAG.ORG, WHO.INT

HELP IS A PHONE CALL AWAY

HowitworksMostuniversitiesandcolleg-

esofferfreeorreduced-costcounsellingto

students.

TheexpertsaysCampuslifeisa bigadjust-

mentandcanbebothexhilaratingandover-

whelming.

CounsellingstaffarebusiestduringMay,

AugustandSeptember,asthesearethe

periodsleadinguptoexams,saysSaman-

thaHanslo,a counsellingpsychologistat

CapePeninsulaUniversityofTechnology’s

Bellvillecampus.Theymostfrequentlysee

studentssufferingfromdepressivesymp-

toms,anxietyandrelationshipproblems.

SIsitforyou?Theserviceisofferedby

mostSouthAfricanuniversitiesandcolleg-

esandisexclusivelyforregisteredstudents.

SCostFreeorata reducedcost.

STUDENT COUNSELLING

you.co.za 22 AUGUST 2019 | (^45)
YOU LIFESTYLE
| ADVICE