Mental Health Resources in Durban
Free crisis hotlines, support groups, and mental health resources for Durban and KwaZulu-Natal residents. You are not alone.
Call the 24/7 Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0800 567 567 (toll-free)
Mental Health in Durban
Durban, South Africa's busiest port city, grapples with mental health challenges including HIV/AIDS-related trauma (with a 27.9% prevalence rate), the legacy of political violence, high poverty rates, and the psychological impact of flooding and natural disasters.
Common mental health concerns in Durban include:
- HIV/AIDS trauma and stigma - Highest provincial HIV prevalence in South Africa
- Political violence legacy - Historical trauma from conflicts in townships
- Poverty and unemployment - High rates of economic hardship
- Natural disaster trauma - Flooding and storm-related psychological distress
Fortunately, Durban has mental health resources available, from free crisis hotlines to professional support groups and alternative treatment options like Dianetics.
24/7 Crisis Hotlines (Toll-Free)
All helplines below are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and are toll-free from anywhere in KwaZulu-Natal.
Immediate support for anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional crisis. Trained counselors available 24/7.
SMS: 32312
24/7 support for substance abuse, addiction, and recovery. Confidential counseling and referrals.
SMS: 31393
General mental health support for anxiety, depression, and other conditions. Professional counselors available.
Support for crime victims and trauma recovery. Available 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM daily.
Support Groups in Durban
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) runs free support groups across KwaZulu-Natal for various mental health conditions including:
- Depression and Anxiety
- Bipolar Disorder
- OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
- PTSD and Trauma Recovery
- Substance Abuse and Addiction
- Grief and Bereavement
- Panic Disorder
- Social Anxiety
Call SADAG: 011 234 4837 (8AM-8PM)
Dianetics in Durban
Dianetics provides a drug-free approach to addressing the underlying causes of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health challenges. Rather than managing symptoms with medication, Dianetics focuses on resolving the traumatic memories and experiences that create psychological distress.
Many Durban residents have found relief through Dianetics auditing and self-help techniques.
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Mental Health Services
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health provides free mental health services at public hospitals and clinics across Durban:
- Addington Hospital - Psychiatric services and emergency mental health care
- Town Hill Hospital - Specialist psychiatric hospital in Pietermaritzburg
- King Edward VIII Hospital - Mental health outpatient services
- Community Health Centres - Mental health services at local clinics across Durban
Contact KwaZulu-Natal Health: [email protected] | [email protected]