For thousands of South African students, university life represents opportunity, growth and the promise of a brighter future. Yet behind lecture halls, residence buildings and exam venues, many young people are carrying invisible burdens that few around them fully understand.
Academic pressure, financial strain, loneliness, family expectations and personal challenges can quickly become overwhelming. When those pressures collide, knowing where to turn can make all the difference.
This Youth Month, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) is highlighting the critical role its free, confidential campus Helplines play in supporting students across the country. Available around the clock, these Helplines have become one of the most important Mental Health safety nets within South Africa’s higher education sector.
The Mental Health Reality Facing Students
The scale of the challenge is significant.
The South Africa National Student Mental Health Survey gathered responses from more than 70,000 students across 17 universities. The findings revealed that 16.3% of students met the criteria for a mood disorder, including major depression or bipolar disorder, during the month before the survey.
Generalised anxiety disorder affected 10.9% of respondents, while one in five students reported symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress.
Researchers estimate that between 20% and 30% of students are living with a diagnosable Mental Health condition at any given time.
While many students successfully navigate the pressures of university life, thousands require support. Yet only a minority ever access treatment. Cost, stigma and a lack of awareness about available resources continue to prevent many from seeking help.
Numbers tell part of the story. The human reality behind them is often far more complex.
Many students face their toughest moments away from home, separated from support networks and carrying enormous academic and financial responsibilities. For some, simply knowing where to find help can feel impossible.
A Lifeline Available 24 Hours a Day
For more than a decade, SADAG has operated dedicated toll-free campus Helplines for students at universities and colleges throughout South Africa.
The service is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day.
Whether a student is struggling with anxiety before an exam, experiencing emotional distress, feeling isolated, or facing a crisis in the middle of the night, trained counsellors are available to provide immediate support and guidance.
Students who are uncomfortable speaking on the phone can also access support through WhatsApp and SMS callback services offered by many of the Helplines.
The goal is simple: make support accessible whenever and however students need it.
Building One of South Africa’s Largest Student Support Networks
SADAG partners with multiple higher education institutions and organisations across the country.
These include the University of Cape Town, the University of Pretoria, the University of the Free State, the University of the Western Cape, Tshwane University of Technology, North-West University, Eduvos, STADIO, SACAP, Discovery Health Medical Students and Young Doctors, and the Motsepe Foundation Bursary Students programme.
Each Helpline is designed around the specific needs of its campus community. Several also provide support to staff members in addition to students.
Together, these partnerships have created one of South Africa’s largest Mental Health support networks for higher education.
The Demand Continues to Grow
The need for accessible Mental Health support is increasing every year.
During 2025 alone, SADAG’s campus Helplines responded to and supported more than 213,000 student calls.
The busiest periods often coincide with examinations, registration periods and other high-pressure moments in the academic calendar.
For many students, the Helpline serves as their first point of contact with Mental Health support. For others, it may be the only service they can access without financial barriers.
Behind every call is a young person searching for guidance, reassurance or hope.
In the past year alone, SADAG counsellors provided crisis support to more than 55,000 students.
For some callers, one conversation provides enough support to regain perspective and move forward. For others, it becomes the first step towards longer-term care and recovery.
Why These Conversations Matter
According to Linda Khoza, Project Manager at SADAG, the impact of simply being available cannot be underestimated.
“Students reach out to us for all kinds of reasons, some in crisis, many just needing someone to talk to before things get heavier,” says Khoza.
“What they find on the other end of the Helpline is someone who listens, takes them seriously and helps them find the next step. We believe no student should have to give up on their studies or themselves simply because they have no one to turn to. That is why these Helplines matter, and why we remain committed to keeping them open and free.”
The statement reflects the core purpose behind the service: ensuring that no student faces difficult moments alone.
Reaching Out for Help
Students who need support can contact SADAG seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
The SADAG Mental Health Helpline for Higher Health is:
0800 36 36 36
Students attending participating institutions can also access their dedicated campus Helplines.
Every call remains free, confidential and focused on helping students find the support they need.
One Phone Call at a Time
Mental Health challenges do not always announce themselves loudly. Sometimes they arrive quietly during late-night study sessions, moments of isolation or periods of uncertainty.
For thousands of students across South Africa, one phone call has become the bridge between struggle and support.
This Youth Month, SADAG’s message is clear: help is available, help is free, and no student has to face their journey alone.
