Affordable Therapy in South Africa

Um hello, why is a website that mostly talks about personal finance trying to send you to therapy?

Well ... the obvious: because money's about feelings way more than it's about numbers. How you behave with money has a whole lot to do with how you feel about yourself, what you value, your biggest anxieties and dreams. A lot of the time people email me about tricky money dynamics in their relationships and it's really clear that really what's going on is a relationship problem, not a money problem. And also because, as I can tell you better than anyone, financial stress is a major predictor of suicide.

But I get it – good therapists aren't cheap! So here are some suggestions for more affordable mental health support in South Africa.

Helplines

If you need urgent help right now, please call one of these toll-free numbers:

• The South African Depression and Anxiety Group 24-hour crisis helpline: 0800 567 567
• The Lifeline 24-hour national counselling helpline: 0861 322 322
• The National Gambling Helpline is 0800 006 008, or WhatsApp/SMS HELP To 076 675 0710
• Gambler's Anonymous offers helplines in GP, KZN and the WC (see their website for the numbers)

If none of those work for you, here is a longer list of helplines in South Africa.

Even if you're not currently having an urgent crisis, it's perfectly fine to call any of those helplines. They're also a great first point-of-call to direct you to longer-term support. And the volunteers on those lines ARE THERE TO LISTEN, that's literally what they're there for! You're not wasting resources by calling any of those helplines.

Free counselling

• SADAG offers help for anxiety and depression, as well as for specific conditions like Bipolar Disorder, ADHD and substance dependence. They offer WhatsApp chat lines, both online and face-to-face support groups, and run several different helplines. They're a great first stop to find help.
• Lifeline offers in-person counselling centres all around the country.
• Wits Emthonjeni Centre in Johannesburg offers free or cheap short-term counselling at their Psychology Clinic and then can refer you to partners for ongoing help.

Affordable counselling

• The Counselling Hub low-cost counselling centre in Cape Town or online: 067 235 0019, R50 donations per session.
• FAMSA specialise in relationship and couple's counselling on a sliding-scale basis based on income.

By the way, if you think there's any chance some of the dynamics in your relationship are abusive, go to solo therapy before you go to couples therapy.

Medical aid

If you have medical aid, they will probably pay for at least some therapy sessions. PMBs (prescribed minimum benefits) cover many mental health conditions (including general depression and anxiety). Check with your medical aid before booking.

Other useful relationship resources

Podcasts and books are no replacement for an actual relationship with a real therapist, but Ester Perel's Where Should We Begin is marvellous. My partner and I love to listen to the episodes together and then discuss any relevance to our own lives (or at least skinner about other people's relationships).

If you're struggling to balance unpaid labour in the household, take a look at Eve Rodsky's excellent Fair Play system. Even if you don't buy the set of cards, there's a lot of good strategies to be gleaned just by watching the video explainer about them!

Know of any other useful affordable mental health resources that should be on this list? Please let me know!