SADAG calls for donations as it run out of funds

SAfm — The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), has called on the public to make donations so that it can continue to provide assistance to people who have mental illnesses. The NGO is running out of funds and this may force it to cut down on some services it provides. The organisation says some of the individuals who call the helpline are suicidal. SADAG's Operations Manager Cassey Chambers says the number of people who have been calling has shot up to 600 per day since Professor Bongani Mayosi who was a Dean of Health Sciences at the University of Cape Town, committed suicide three weeks ago. He suffered from depression. Statistics show that a third of South Africans have some form of mental health problem. This number excludes childen and teenagers. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Chambers.