As South Africa marks Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) is urging the public to help keep its life-saving helplines running. The organisation, which operates the country’s only 24-hour suicide crisis lines, responds to more than 2,500 calls every day, and one in four of those calls is suicide-related.
For many callers, reaching out is a last attempt to find support. SADAG counsellors say it’s common for the phone to open with silence, a shaky breath or a quiet cry before someone finally says, “I don’t know who else to talk to.”
According to SADAG Call Centre Manager Tracy Feinstein, even that first whisper carries the weight of fear, shame and exhaustion — but also hope. When callers hear, “You’re not alone,” it can be a crucial turning point.
The High Cost of a Missed Call
SADAG warns that unanswered calls can have devastating consequences. For someone in crisis, the act of calling is an act of courage. If no one answers, that hope can disappear. SADAG is now aiming to raise R180,000 to cover helpline operating costs for November, explaining that it costs about R50 to answer a single call.
That R50 pays for trained counsellors, emotional support and the safety net people depend on during their darkest moments.
Why Men Stay Quiet
Nearly half of SADAG’s callers are men, many of whom struggle to ask for help because of stigma and fear of being seen as weak. Men are often expected to fix everything while ignoring their own emotional needs. SADAG works to make that first call feel safe, emphasising that reaching out is an act of courage.
Counsellors often hear callers say, “You just saved my life,” after an hour of conversation — a reminder of how crucial empathetic listening can be.
A Growing National Conversation
Mental health awareness has grown significantly in South Africa. Before COVID-19, SADAG received around 800 calls a day. Today, call volumes exceed 2,500 daily. While stigma is slowly lifting, access to professional mental health care remains limited.
A Small Donation, A Big Difference
To support its helplines throughout November, SADAG has launched a BackaBuddy campaign to raise R180,000. So far, 23 donors have contributed more than R12,000. If every South African gave just R50, thousands more calls could be answered, ensuring that people in crisis hear a voice of support instead of silence.
For 31 years, SADAG has been a consistent lifeline for people facing depression, trauma, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Their message remains clear: no one should ever face silence alone.
Support the campaign at:
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/answer-the-call-for-hope
