Free Telephone Counseling Hotlines in South Africa

South African Depression & Anxiety Group - SADAG 
(0800) 12 13 14
SADAG is Africa’s largest mental health support and advocacy group.

Adcock Ingram Depression and Anxiety Helpline
(0800) 70 80 90
Adcock Ingram is a leading South African pharmaceutical manufacturer sponsoring a support line to provide immediate help for people suffering from anxiety and other mental health issues.

Lifeline South Africa 
(0861) 322 322
24-hour crisis intervention service. “Emotional First Aid station”.

Befrienders Bloemfontein 
(0027) 51 444 5000
If you are feeling anxious, confused, hurt, depressed, if you are wondering whether life is worth living…contact the Befrienders today.The service is free and completely confidential. You don’t even have to tell us who you are.

Al-Anon 
0861 ALANON (25 26 66)
Al-Anon Family Groups is for the families and friends of problem drinkers, with a special section – Alateen – for children of alcoholics, and a group for adult children of alcoholics.

Alcoholics Anonymous South Africa 
0861 HELPAA (435 722)
Worldwide fellowship for alcoholics supporting those choosing to be sober. Only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

Department of Social Development Substance Abuse Line 24hr helpline
(0800) 12 13 14
For alcohol and substance abuse rehabilitation and helpline.

Narcotics Anonymous SA 
( 0881) 30 03 27
NA is a non-profit organization for recovering drug addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean.

Pharmadynamics Police and Trauma Line
(0800) 20 50 26
For abuse trafficking reports and drug related crimes.

SA National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence 
08611 REHAB (73422)
Sanca provides specialized and affordable prevention and treatment services for alcohol and other drug dependence. A national body established in 1956, it has independently operated societies and counselling centers in all nine provinces.

Unhooked 
(081) 456 3945
We are a Christian Based Non-Profit Substance Abuse Recovery Organization focusing on Outpatient Treatment , Addiction Counselling , Substance abuse prevention and Intervention .We believe that recovery is possible. Not only do we offer a very good Outpatient Program , we also help families in finding the best suitable treatment option for their loved ones. We make the families part of the recovery process and offer Family Education Sessions as well as Family Support Groups.

People Opposed to Woman Abuse (Powa)
(083) 765 1235
Gauteng-based organization offering shelter and counselling services to women in abusive relationships, rape survivors, survivors of incest etc. POWA is a “feminist, women’s rights organization that provides both services, and engages in advocacy in order to ensure the realization of women’s rights and thereby improve women’s quality of life”.

Rape Crisis 
(021) 447 9762 (Observatory)
(021) 633 9229 (Athlone)
(021) 361 9085 (Khayalitsha)
Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust works to prevent rape, offers healing to survivors, and works towards legal reforms that will ensure perpetrators are brought to justice. Services include counselling, court preparation, support groups, important contact numbers. Non-governmental organization.

Stop Women Abuse
0 (800) 150 150
Crisis counselling for women who have been raped or abused, advice and support for people wanting to support women in need of help, legal and other options available for abused women and rape survivors. Run by Life Line.

Eating Disorders South Africa
(27) 12 338 2543Eating Disorders South Africa (EDSA) hosts weekly support groups for individuals over the age of 18 who are struggling with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. These free meetings take place every Wednesday from 17:30 to 19:00 at Denmar Psychiatric Hospital.

Imani Facility 
27 (0) 21 761 0740
Imani offers a full continuum of care necessary to complete the recovery process. While the behaviors differ, the underlying feelings of desperation, powerlessness and suffering are universal. At Imani we firstly deal with the clients destructive behaviors surrounding their illness and then guide them in processing the reasons for this behavior. We work through a therapeutic community where individuals are part of a group with similar struggles. Through mutual support and shared experience, a healing atmosphere permeates the facility even outside structured therapy sessions.

Twin Rivers 
27 (0)82 863 3159
Twin Rivers recognizes these conditions and seeks to help those who battle with their eating habits. You may contact our 24/7 hotline for assistance.

AIDS Helpline
(011) 234 4837
The 24-hour hotline provides information on HIV testing, treatment, care and prevention.

AIDFORAIDS 
0860 100 646
An organization that really cares for the people of South Africa, especially those living with HIV/AIDS, we try to do anything we can to help out.

AIDS Hotlines for South African Cities
27 (0)21 763 5320
Capetown

27 (0)31 300 3104 
Durban

27 (0)33 345 0781
Pietermaritzburg

27 (0) 33 345 0781
Polokwane

27 (0)43 705 2969
East London

27 (0)13 690 2604
Witbank

27 (0)11 761 6089
Roodepoort

27 (0)11 355 3394
Johannesburg

27 (0)16 988 1064
Sebokeng

27 (0)58 713 2572
Harrismith

South African Sexual Health Association - SASHA 
27(0)82 783 6633
SASHA works to promote sexual health for all. Sexual health is a goal not only for medical clinicians, it is a common goal of many disciplines. SASHA is devoted to the promotion of sexual health and the development and advancement in the fields of sexology, sexual medicine, sexual therapy, counseling and education.

A21 
 21 551 0971
We are one of the largest organizations in the world that is solely fighting human trafficking. At a local, domestic, and international level. All over the world, we are not just responding to trafficking that is already taking place, but we are actively working on the frontlines to prevent it from happening to begin with.

ADHD Helpline
(0800) 55 44 33
The 24-hour hotline offers counselling for those who are suffering from ADHD or would like to know more in order to help others.

ADHD Life Helpline 
(086) 111 3913
The Life Helpline offers facilitation to clients on various matters: for example age-related & relationship problems, general information about legal, social, psychological and health problems and well-being. Our clients mobile phone users, but they do include people from the very margins of society.

Akeso Psychiatric Response Unit 24 Hour 
0861 HELP US (4357 87)
The hotline is manned by experienced counselling staff, who are trained to contain and manage the immediate crisis, provide transportation and arrange the required admission to the nearest Psychiatric Clinic, if so required. If the caller is in crisis, the intervention vehicle is dispatched, but if it is not an emergency, the caller is transferred to a registered counsellor for counselling and an appropriate referral.

Diabetes South Africa 
(086) 111 3913
The non-profit organization provides health education and workshops, as well as dietary plans and support groups for people living with diabetes and their families.

Epilepsy South Africa 
(0860) 374 537
The non-profit organization provides education, counselling and support for those living with epilepsy and their families.

SADAG Mental Health Line 
(011) 234 4837
SADAG is Africa’s largest mental health support and advocacy group.

Childline South Africa 
0 (8000) 55 555
Childline is an effective non-profit organization that works collectively to protect children from all forms of violence and to create a culture of children’s rights in South Africa.

Child Welfare South Africa 
(011) 234 4837
The 24-hour hotline provides information on HIV testing, treatment, care and prevention.

Johannesburg Child Welfare Societ 
(011) 298 8500
The coordinating body for more than 260 affiliated child welfare societies, organizations and community outreach projects. It is the largest non-profit, non-governmental organization in South Africa in the fields of child protection and child care and family development.

Police Child Protection Units
(0860) 0 10111
The South African Police Service’s Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit Special police units investigate violent crimes against children and offer specialized services to child victims of crime. There are units around the country.