‘Our phone bill alone is R150,000 a month’: how Sadag keeps SA’s only suicide crisis helpline running
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) is struggling to fund its 24-hour suicide crisis helpline, which costs up to R150,000 monthly in phone bills alone. As suicide rates among young South Africans rise, the NGO faces the challenge of maintaining this vital service without government financial support.
Why it matters
The story underscores the critical funding gap for mental health services and the growing public health crisis regarding youth suicide.
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) says it spends up to R150,000 a month on telephone costs alone to ensure that South Africans in crisis can access help around the clock through the country’s only suicide crisis helpline.
The article highlights the lack of government funding for a social service, which implicitly critiques current public policy priorities.
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