October 6, 2013
Produced by Johann Abrahams and cameraman Clinton Nefdt for Health-e-news
Almost one in three South Africans will suffer from a psychological disorder in their lives, yet there is very little support or understanding for people with mental illness. Only a quarter of those who need it will ever get treatment.
This programme focuses on mental health and in particular on the facilities and treatment of mental health patients or those in need of psychological support. It exposes the serious lack of adequate and appropriate facilities for mentally ill people, which includes people struggling with substance abuse.
Watch this episode in the new time slot, Sunday on SABC 3 at 21:30
Against this backdrop we look at one remarkable woman’s battle with severe depression and her son’s drug addiction. Cathy Williams, a fifty year old mother of three sons, continues to suffer from severe depression which she has had for most of her life. Her first husband committed suicide, an incident that triggered bouts of depression and anxiety attacks. Her eldest son is also a recovering tik addict. She tried to commit suicide and almost succeeded eighteen years ago. After years of intensive treatment, she has learned to cope with this silent disease.
Today she has a positive outlook on life. She started SADAG in Mitchells Plain, a support group for patients suffering from depression and anxiety and gives bridging counselling to people suffering from depression.
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