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About SADAG KZN
Our Vision
To effectively maintain a sustainable satellite office of SADAG in KZN, by providing relevant and appropriate Mental Health information and support services, to various stakeholders in the province.
Our Mission
To advocate for the need of Mental Health information across the different sectors and communities in KZN, thereby reducing stigma and discrimination linked to Mental IWIllnesses.
Our Objectives
- To grow and develop the capacity of SADAG-KZN through effective recruitment, selection and training strategies.
- To facilitate and manage a SADAG-KZN-based Call-Centre providing counselling, containment and referral. This service will provide augmentative support to the general helplines run by SADAG Head Office.
- To advocate for the rights of those affected directly or indirectly by Mental Illnesses through participation in various Mental Health Forums in KZN and raising awareness through media and social media platforms.
- To provide training and ongoing support to all Support Group and Peer Support Group Leaders in KZN.
- To facilitate Mental Health Workshops (in-person and virtual), Wellness Days and Commemoration Days in KZN.
- To provide Mental Health talks at a local and provincial level across different schools, communities and organisations in KZN.
- To conduct research on Mental Health issues in KZN on an ad-hoc basis. This may be facilitated in collaboration with other stakeholders such as academia, government departments, private corporations, and or individual researchers.
Our Key Focus Areas are:
- Facilitating in-house training and support for those accepted into the ‘SADAG Volunteer Programme’.
- Facilitating Support-Group training for people wanting to run Support Groups and Peer Support Groups.
- Promoting Mental Healthcare education in companies amongst employers and employees.
- Improving Mental Healthcare literacy amongst students at secondary and tertiary education levels.
- Raising Mental Health awareness in communities through community workshops which are conducted in a culturally appropriate manner.
- Promoting, sharing and advocating Mental Health issues via media/social media regularly.
Background of SADAG-KZN
Due to the disparity of Mental Health services in KZN, SADAG identified a need for such services in the province. Research-based on SADAG’s call statistics showed that a vast majority of callers (individuals and corporate) were requesting information related to Mental Health, referral pathways and Support Groups in the province. This was further confirmed by the Census Report which revealed that KZN is the 2nd most densely populated province in South Africa with a population of 12,4 million. This province presented with a poverty rate of 60.7% and an unemployment rate which is significantly higher than that of the other provinces. According to research conducted by Burns (2014) it was found that there was a treatment gap of approximately 80% between patients presenting with Mental Illnesses and their access to care which is inclusive of acute inpatient facilities as well as ambulatory Mental Healthcare services.
Thus, SADAG-KZN was launched in 2018 under the guidance of Prof. Suvira Ramlall (Specialist Psychiatrist) and Suntosh Pillay (Clinical Psychologist). The offices which were situated at the Life St. Joseph’s Psychiatric Hospital in Glenwood, were managed by Lynn Norton and thereafter by Lynne Richards. This was an ideal location based on the needs of Mental Healthcare users, their families and other Mental Health advocacy stakeholders. SADAG-KZN facilitated various training programmes and Mental Health projects. However, due to the expansion of the hospital, SADAG-KZN had to relocate. Thankfully, we could find premises at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus in Glenwood. Regrettably, due to professional progression and career demands, SADAG-KZN bade a sad farewell to Prof. Suvira Ramlall, Suntosh Pillay and Lynne Richards.
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