The festive season crisis: Medihelp keeps SADAG’s suicide hotline answering every call

December can be loud with celebration. But for many people, it is the quietest, loneliest month of the year. Behind the lights, the family gatherings, and the “festive spirit” are South Africans carrying grief, anxiety, financial pressure, and the heavy feeling of having to pretend they’re okay. For someone in crisis, it can take just one moment – and one courageous call – to shift the outcome from tragedy to hope.

That is why Medihelp Medical Scheme has committed to sponsoring a full month of operations for the South African Depression and Anxiety Group’s (SADAG) suicide hotline. This will help to ensure that trained counsellors can keep answering calls when people need a lifeline most.

It costs SADAG R160 000 to run the hotline for a single month. Medihelp’s sponsorship will help keep this essential support available throughout the festive season – a time when demand for crisis counselling rises sharply, and many people struggle to access help elsewhere.

December is a peak month for crisis calls

Each December, SADAG experiences a significant surge in crisis calls. While the festive season can be joyful, it can also intensify emotional distress, especially for those grieving the loss of loved ones, feeling isolated, or carrying the strain of financial pressure, family conflict, and heightened expectations.

“This time of year can be particularly difficult for young people. SADAG receives calls from matrics and school learners after exam results are released, especially when results fall short of expectations. Feelings of fear, disappointment, shame, and anxiety about the future can become overwhelming for students who believe they have failed themselves or their families. During the holidays, when schools are closed and support structures may be limited, SADAG becomes a critical source of immediate help for learners who might otherwise suffer in silence,” says SADAG Operations Director, Cassey Chambers.

According to Lien Potgieter, Head of Marketing at Medihelp, by sponsoring the suicide hotline during this high-risk period, Medihelp is helping SADAG remain responsive – answering calls, supporting people in distress, and offering a safe space for those who need urgent emotional support.

Strengthening South Africa’s mental wellness support network

“Medihelp recognises that mental health challenges can affect anyone, regardless of age, income, or background. By supporting SADAG’s suicide hotline, Medihelp is strengthening a vital part of South Africa’s mental wellness support network, ensuring help remains accessible when it’s needed most,” says Potgieter.

This initiative forms part of Medihelp’s broader commitment to promoting emotional well-being, encouraging early intervention, and reducing the stigma that so often prevents people from reaching out. When someone can speak to a trained counsellor who listens without judgement and provides practical guidance, it can create a bridge from crisis to safety and from hopelessness to support.

You are not alone – help is always available

If you or someone you care about is feeling depressed, anxious, hopeless, or overwhelmed, immediate help is available. SADAG’s counsellors offer compassionate guidance, emotional support, and practical advice. They can also refer callers to additional resources like therapists, community services, or crisis centres, where appropriate. The service is confidential and available every day of the week, including public holidays.

How to contact SADAG:

• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0800 567 567
• Dr Reddy’s Mental Health Helpline: 0800 21 22 23
• 24-hour Emergency SMS Helpline: SMS 31393
• WhatsApp Chat (8:00–17:00): 076 882 2775
• Website: www.sadag.org