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Free Telephone Counselling Hotlines #contactcenterworld Whether you have a large family surrounding you or no one to spend the holidays with this year, the feeling of being alone can effect us no matter. Add to this, the grief we're all experiencing within the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, as family members see in their first New Year 'celebrations' without loved ones they've lost, and we have a complex recipe of stressors. This can make it even more difficult for people who've experienced losses or who are living with a mental-health issue. The many faces of grief The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that grief is a normal response to loss during or after a disaster or other traumatic event. "Grief can happen in response to loss of life, as well as to drastic changes to daily routines and ways of life that usually bring us comfort and a feeling of stability. Common grief reactions include: shock, disbelief, or denial; anxiety; distress; anger; periods of sadness; loss of sleep and loss of appetite. "Some people may experience multiple losses during a disaster or large-scale emergency event. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, you might be unable to be with a loved one when they die, or unable to mourn someone’s death in-person with friends and family. "Other types of loss include unemployment, or not making enough money, loss or reduction in support services, and other changes in your lifestyle. These losses can happen at the same time, which can complicate or prolong grief and delay a person’s ability to adapt, heal, and recover." Add to this, that New Year celebrations involve an expectation of being highly sociable - when all you're feeling is the need to cocoon - and one can feel burdened by the expectation to see lots of people, and to indulge in expensive or lavish celebrations. You are not alone The most important thing to know if you're struggling with complex emotions within the backdrop of "the festive" season, is that there are resources available to support you emotionally. Secondly, while you may feel lonely, you're not alone in your experience. One just needs to look at how the number of SADAG's support groups have grown to truly appreciate this. From having a total of zero online support groups in January of 2020, The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) now has more than 35 online nationwide groups around the country. It has hosted over 15 guest speakers in the last year, enjoyed over 40 support-group leader Connect sessions, and launched its first annual Support Group Awareness Week. From January to September 2021, the 24-hour Department of Social Development Substance Abuse helpline received over 110 000 calls, SMS’s, online chats and Contact-a-Counsellor forms from across various parts of the country. A helping hand People cope with losses in different ways. If you need help dealing with your loss, resources are available for support and help. If you need to speak to someone immediately, please contact a counsellor on 0800 21 22 23 or 0800 70 80 90 or SMS 31393 and a counsellor will call you back to help further. You can then decide if you'd like to join a SADAG support group. Here is a list of free telephone counselling hotlines: * Adcock Ingram Depression and Anxiety Helpline * ADHD Helpline * Akeso Psychiatric Hospitals 24-Hour Emergency Response Unit * Cipla 24hr Mental Health Helpline * Cipla Whatsapp Chat Line * Destiny Helpline For Youth & Students * Dr Reddy's Help Line * Healthcare Workers Care Network Helpline * Lifeline * NPOWERSA Helpline * Pharmadynamics Police & Trauma Line * SADAG Mental Health Line * SADAG Suicide Crisis Line * Substance Abuse Helpline The 24-hour Department of Social Development Substance Abuse helpline provides free telephonic counselling, support, information and nationwide referrals such as rehabilitation centres, addiction specialists, support groups, brochures, and self-help tips and videos to assist those struggling with addiction or loved ones needing support. The project has also continued to support many external collaborators and stakeholders with materials for their various projects and activities ensuring information around the helpline is shared for continuous exposure. #contactcenterworld Posted by Veronica Silva Cusi, news correspondent Date Posted: Friday, December 31, 2021 About ContactCenterWorld.com ContactCenterWorld.com is the world's premier on-line resource for the call and contact center industry. This article is one of hundreds available on-line to registered members. Our resource is updated every working day and includes content from every corner of the world. If you are not a registered member go to www.ContactCenterWorld.com and register today. |