Helplines in South Africa.

Battling to cope with your diagnosis and symptoms? Reach out to a helpline for free support in South Africa

Everything changes when you’re diagnosed with a serious, chronic or life-threatening physical illness. Coping with your new reality can be challenging, especially when you feel isolated or alone. You are valued. There are 3 helplines in South Africa where you can confide in volunteers or counselors for support when you feel:

• Shame and sadness about becoming a burden to others.
• Stress about the financial burden that your illness will put on your family.
• Like a burden to friends or family, and no longer a valuable member of society.
• Loss of control and an intense feeling of helplessness in the face of your illness.
• That life isn’t worth living, given the limitations and pain associated with your medical condition.
• Isolated from those who don’t comprehend your discomfort or the seriousness of your condition.
• Fear that you'll be defined by your medical condition, instead of who you really are.
• Worry about the pain you'll feel, medical bills, death, and your family’s future happiness.

Hospital visits, pain and disability can take an overwhelming toll on your emotions. Medication and prolonged periods of stress can make it hard to function and think clearly from day to day. You may feel isolated, burdensome and unable to cope.

You have the potential to face physical illness with grace and resilience. To do so, you need to nurture your mental and emotional wellbeing. You can start by confiding in someone in South Africa who understands how deeply medical distress can affect your mental health. Reaching for support does not make you weak, helpless or incapable – it just means you’re human.