Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 10-09-2019
As the world acknowledges World Suicide Prevention Day on Tuesday, the South African Society of Psychiatrists says there’s nothing more wonderful and more healing than talking.
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) says its Suicide Helpline has received more than 41-thousand-800 calls since January this year with one-third of South Africans experiencing a mental disorder in their lifetime.
With limited access to psychiatric treatment in the public health sector Dr Lerato Dikobe-Kalane says there is a view that traditional healers can play an important role in the front-line of treatment for depression, anxiety and substance abuse.
“When I talk about traditional medicine, I am not only talking about African traditional medicine, but there’s also Eastern traditional medicine. There’s also spirituality and religion. So all those people play a part being the first port of entry when people are troubled.”
Sharing advice with the listeners of Radio Islam, Dr Kalane has urged people to talk about their problems instead of facing them alone.
“When talking, just don’t talk on social media, but also talk to a person, face to face, with somebody whom you trust.”
Sadag runs the country’s only Suicide Crisis Helplines, and receives hundreds of calls every day from people who feel helpless, hopeless and who feel like suicide is the only solution left.
Listen to the interview with Dr Lerato Dikobe-Kalane
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