HelpAnxiety.co.za
Community Events

Mental Health Seminars

Free online and in-person seminars for South Africans — covering mental health conditions, treatment options, patient rights, and community support. Expert speakers present in plain language, with time for questions.

How Our Seminars Work

Expert Speakers

Registered psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors, advocates, and community workers present on topics relevant to South Africans.

Online & In-Person

Most seminars are held online via Zoom for accessibility across South Africa. Some are hybrid events with an in-person component.

Free to Attend

All seminars are free. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. Recordings of past seminars are made available after the event.

Upcoming Seminars

Register below to receive the Zoom link and event reminders.

UpcomingOnlineAnxiety
Understanding Anxiety in South Africa: What the Research Shows
Dr. Naledi Dlamini — Clinical Psychologist, Johannesburg
Tuesday, 15 April 2025
18:00 – 19:30 SAST
Zoom

A comprehensive overview of anxiety disorders in the South African context — prevalence, contributing factors including crime and economic stress, and what the current research tells us about recognition and support. This seminar is aimed at the general public, caregivers, and community workers.

AnxietySouth AfricaResearchCommunity
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UpcomingHybridPTSD & Trauma
Trauma Recovery After Crime: A South African Perspective
Sipho Nkosi — Trauma Counsellor, Cape Town
Thursday, 8 May 2025
17:30 – 19:00 SAST
Zoom
Cape Town Community Centre

South Africa has one of the highest rates of violent crime in the world. This seminar explores the psychological impact of crime-related trauma — hijackings, assault, home invasions — and discusses what recovery looks like, what support is available, and how communities can help.

PTSDTraumaCrimeRecoveryCape Town
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UpcomingOnlineMen's Mental Health
Men's Mental Health: Breaking the Silence in South Africa
Thabo Mokoena — Counselling Psychologist, Pretoria
Thursday, 22 May 2025
19:00 – 20:30 SAST
Zoom

South African men are dying by suicide at four times the rate of women, yet cultural norms around masculinity make it difficult for men to seek help. This seminar examines the barriers men face, the warning signs to watch for, and how families and communities can create space for men to talk.

Men's Mental HealthSuicide PreventionMasculinity
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UpcomingOnlineTreatment Options
Mental Health Treatment Options: Making an Informed Choice
Dr. Fatima Patel — Psychiatrist, Durban
Tuesday, 10 June 2025
18:00 – 19:30 SAST
Zoom

A balanced overview of the full range of mental health treatment options available in South Africa — from psychiatry and psychology to counselling, traditional healing, faith-based approaches, and alternative therapies. This seminar is designed to help individuals and families understand their options and make informed decisions.

TreatmentInformed ChoicePsychiatryPsychologyAlternative
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UpcomingOnlinePatient Rights
Know Your Rights: Mental Health and the Law in South Africa
Advocate Zanele Khumalo — Human Rights Advocate, Johannesburg
Tuesday, 24 June 2025
18:00 – 19:30 SAST
Zoom

What are your rights as a mental health patient in South Africa? This seminar covers the National Health Act (Section 6), the Mental Health Care Act, and what to do if your rights are not respected. Presented in plain language for the general public — not legal advice, but essential information.

Patient RightsNHAMHCALegalHPCSA
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Past Seminars

Recordings of past seminars are available on request.

PastDepression
Depression in South Africa: Load Shedding, Unemployment, and the Hidden Crisis
Dr. Priya Govender
Wednesday, 12 March 2025
View Details

Become a Speaker

Are you a registered mental health professional, researcher, advocate, or community worker with expertise relevant to South African mental health? We welcome speaker proposals from across the full spectrum of mental health disciplines — clinical, traditional, faith-based, and community-based.

Seminars are free to attend and are aimed at the general public, caregivers, community workers, and students. We ask that presentations be in plain language and avoid promoting specific commercial services.

Speaker Requirements

  • Relevant professional qualification or community expertise
  • Topic relevant to mental health in South Africa
  • Presentation in plain language (Grade 8 reading level)
  • No promotion of commercial products or services during the seminar
  • Available for a 60–90 minute online session
Submit a Speaker Proposal

Seminars hosted on HelpAnxiety.co.za are for educational and informational purposes only. They do not constitute medical, psychological, or legal advice. The views expressed by speakers are their own and do not represent the position of HelpAnxiety.co.za. If you are in crisis, please contact the SADAG 24-hour helpline: 0800 456 789.