Pretoria – The Department of Social Development says it has made psychosocial support available for South African citizens who are struggling to deal with Nelson Mandela’s passing away.
Mourners can call the Command Centre for Gender-Based Violence – a 24-hour call centre for victims of gender-based violence staffed by trained social workers and hosted by Vodacom.
South Africans experiencing difficulty in dealing psychologically with Madiba’s passing can call 0860 004 015 to speak to a professional counsellor.
The service is available 24 hours a day.
According to the department, the special service - which will be available during the ten-day period of mourning - will assist individuals by preventing distress and suffering developing into something more severe and help people cope better and become reconciled to everyday life.
“Social and shared experiences caused by disruptive events such as death, a sense of loss and feelings of helplessness may have severe psychosocial consequences if not attended to immediately. Tata Mandela was dearly loved by all South Africans and the effects of his passing on our society cannot be underestimated,” said the Minister of Social Development Bathabile Dlamini. – SAnews.gov.za
