In this thought-provoking episode of DiCHiPi UNFiLTERED, Lauren Smit, Barbara Moagi, and Dr Batetshi Matenge delve into an essential and often overlooked topic: access to mental health services.

Lauren opens up about her first experience of seeking help, which only came when she was at university. Like many, she hadn’t known where or how to get support until it was made accessible to her through campus services. She highlights that many universities and varsities offer free counselling to students — a crucial entry point for those navigating mental health struggles for the first time.

Dr Matenge builds on this by emphasising the opportunities available in today’s digital age. “One of the advantages of the era we live in is that we have access to a wealth of mental health information online,” she says. Credible platforms and supportive online communities — like JiKiZinto — can be incredibly valuable, particularly for those who may not be able to afford therapy or formal mental health services.

However, she also offers a clear and important warning: “If you’ve been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, Google is not your friend.” While information is helpful, the overload can easily feed into anxious thought cycles, leaving people more distressed than when they started.

For those concerned about the cost of therapy, Dr Matenge shares a hopeful reminder — “you can often negotiate a reduced fee with a therapist based on what you can afford.” Many professionals are open to these conversations and want to make support more accessible.

She also points to the importance of free national helplines, such as the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) and Lifeline, both of which offer support 24 hours a day. These services are there for moments of crisis and beyond — free, confidential, and always available.

The message from this conversation is clear and empowering: help is available, and accessing it doesn’t always require a diagnosis or a large budget. Whether it’s through student services, online communities, helplines, or negotiated therapy sessions, there are paths to support — and I don’t have to walk them alone.

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