Drum – 22 August 2019

http://www.drum.co.za 22 AUGUST (^2019) | 43
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Cipla24-hourmentalhealthhelpline–
0800-456-789
Pharmadynamicspoliceandtraumaline–
0800-20-50-26
AdcockIngramdepressionandanxiety
helpline– 0800-70-80-90
Destinyhelplineforyouthandstudents–
0800-41-42-43
Departmentofsocialdevelopment24-hour
substanceabusehelpline– 0800-12-13-14
(SMS32312)
Suicidecrisisline– 0800-567-567
Sadagmentalhealthline– 011-234-4837
Akeso24-hourpsychiatricresponseunit–
0861-435-787
The expert says Even though South
Africa faces an increasing mental
health burden – worsened by drug use,
violence and unhealthy lifestyles – 80%
of psychologists work in the private
sector, according to Shifra Jacobson,
coordinator and supervisor of The
Counselling Hub. This is why facilities
like the Hub are so important.
“In the public sector there’s such a li-
mited number of mental health workers
employed by the state that it’s difficult 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 medi-
cal aid after they run out of funds, accor-
ding to co-founder Romi Kaplan. The
centre has access to lay-counsellors,
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 a crisis.
Cost The Counselling Hub charges
R50 per session. Many NPOs offer their
services for free.
UNIVERSITY TRAINING CLINICS
How it works Many universities run
counselling clinics where trainee psy-
chologists provide outpatient services
to the community surrounding the uni-
versity as part of their coursework.
The expert says Counselling services
are provided by three kinds of trainees,
explains Professor Greg Howcroft, direc-
tor at Nelson Mandela University’s Psy-
chology Clinic (UCLIN). “Services are
offered either by intern psychologists in
their final year of training, registered psy-
chologists in their fourth year of training
or masters’ students 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
between R60 and R100 for group sessi-
ons. Clients who aren’t on medical aid
are charged R70 per session but the
facility also considers fee reductions
if a client is destitute.
SUPPORT GROUPS
How they work Support groups are
networks of people who voluntarily get
together,eitherinpersonoronline,be-
cause they face similar problems, such
as struggling with infertility, divorce, be-
reavement, substance abuse, anxiety or
depression. During their sessions they
find solace, insight 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 em-
powerment and control, and improve
their coping and adjustment skills.
They get the opportunity to talk open-
ly 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 be seen as a complete replace-
ment for therapy.
“Support groups don’tdealwitha
specificsetofproblemsthewaytherapy
does and won’t look at the reasons you
became ill. If the facilitator is poor, atten-
ding 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
have been through the same experience
will make you feel safe, knowing you will
not be judged,” Dr Vythilingum says,
adding that 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 fellow sufferers, something
that’s very rewarding and may help you
complete the healing process.”
Cost Many support groups cost no-
thing. To find a support group suited
to your needs, call Sadag’s mental
health line (see below). “One of our
lay-counsellorswillassessyour situation
andtrytolocatea supportgroup in
yourarea,”Phillipssays.
EXTRASOURCES:SADAG.ORG, WHO.INT
HELP IS A PHONE CALL AWAY
HowitworksMostuniversitiesandcolleges
offerfreeorreduced-costcounsellingto
students.
TheexpertsaysCampuslifeisa big
adjustmentandcanbebothexhilarating
andoverwhelming.
CounsellingstaffarebusiestduringMay,
AugustandSeptemberasthesearethe
periodsthatprecedeexams,accordingto
SamanthaHanslo,a counsellingpsychologist
atCapePeninsulaUniversityofTechnology’s
Bellvillecampus.Theymostfrequentlysee
studentssufferingfromdepressivesymp-
toms,anxietyandrelationshipproblems.
Isitforyou?Theserviceisofferedbymost
SouthAfricanuniversitiesandcollegesandis
exclusivelyforregisteredstudents.
CostFreeorona reduced-costbasis.
STUDENT COUNSELLING
HEALTH