Students can have a lot on their plate. With responsibilities and tasks that could quite often pile up from University while also dealing with the ins and outs of life, mental health can often get neglected.
For a student to perform well and to also survive and stay afloat as a student, they would need to look after their mental health. Luckily, Universities in South Africa have mental health resources available for students when they need it.
Wits University
Wits University has set up a Counselling and Careers Development Unit (CCDU) which offers counselling services to students. Students can contact the Unit by calling 0117179140 or sending an email to [email protected].
Wits also has a crisis line which students can call in times of need at 0800 111 331 or students can use the Wits Student Crisis Texting App which offers live chat counselling.
University of Johannesburg
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) offers students support through their Centre for Psychological Services and Career Development (PsyCaD). Students will need to make an appointment.
UJ also has a crisis line for students to use in times of need which can be reached at 082 054 1137.
Tshwane University of Technology
Every campus at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) has a Student Development and Support (SDS) unit. At TUT, you will find a counsellor/psychologist/therapist at the Directorate of SDS. They are called SDS Practitioners.
Students can then contact the Unit by sending an email to [email protected]. In times of crisis, students can call 0800 68 78 88.
University of the Western Cape
The Office for Therapeutic Services (TS) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) provides counselling interventions to students. Students can contact them by calling 021 959 2299 or sending an email to [email protected].
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s (CPUT) Department of Student Counselling provides psychosocial support to all registered CPUT students through a variety of services offered.
Students can contact the department by sending an email to [email protected]. There is also a helpline students can use which can be reached at 021 460 3237 or 021 959 6182.
University of Cape Town
The University of Cape Town (UCT) provides support to students through their Student Wellness Service. They provide professional counselling services to students at a primary health care level.
Students can reach these services by calling 021 650 1017 or sending an email to [email protected].
Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University developed the Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD) which has Psychotherapeutic ＆ Support Services available which offers professional support and counselling to students who are experiencing personal, professional or academic challenges, emotional or mental trauma or mental health challenges.
Students can call 021 808 4994 or 021 938 9590 or send an email to [email protected] for assistance. There is also a 24 hour emergency number which students can call in crises: 010 205 3032.
Rhodes University
Rhodes University has a Counselling Centre which provides counselling services for free. Students must make an appointment by calling 046 603 7070 or sending an email to [email protected].
Central University of Technology
Central University of Technology (CUT) has a Wellness Centre which provides health and psychological counselling services, academic support, reading development, social work services, chaplaincy services, and the selection of prospective students.
For appointments, students can call 051 507 3154 or 051 910 3569 or send an email to https://[email protected]/.
Mangosuthu University of Technology
Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) has a Student Counselling Unit which offers personal counselling to students. Appointments can be made by either emailing the departmental secretary at [email protected] or calling 031 907 7186.
Vaal University of Technology
Vaal University of Technology (VUT) has Student Counselling and Support Services available for students which assists students with personal as well as academic difficullties. Students can reach these services by calling 016 950 9244 or sending an email to [email protected].
University of Venda
The University of Venda (Univen) has a Student Counselling Unit which offers student counselling. To reach the unit, students can call them at 015 962 8152 or send an email to [email protected].
University of Zululand
The Student Services Department at the University of Zululand (Unizulu) provides assistance to students who are struggling with their mental health through the Guidance & Counselling Section.
Students can reach the department by contacting 076 8600 435 or 083 406 2086 on WhatsApp or sending an email to [email protected] or [email protected].
University of Kwazulu-Natal
The University of Kwazulu-Natal (UKZN) offers a range of free, professional and confidential individual and groupbased services. If you’re needing to make use of these services, you can call 0800 800 017 or send an email to [email protected].
Durban University of Technology
Students at Durban University of Technology (DUT) can access mental health support through the University’s Student Services and Development Unit. To book a session with a psychologist, students can email [email protected] or [email protected].
Students can also call 031 373 2266.
North West University
North West University (NWU) has their Student Counselling and Development (SCD) section to support students who are in need. There are many different avenues for students to take to get into contact with the University should they want to use these services.
Nelson Mandela University
The Nelson Mandela University Student Health Services actively seek early identification of mental disorders, treatment of common mental disorders, referral to other levels where required, attention to the mental health needs of people with physical health problems, and mental health promotion and prevention and counselling.
Should students need help in times of crisis, they can call 041 504 2174/1149/1374/3762 or 044 801 5062. For after hours emergencies, students can call 041 504 2342/3636/3710.
University of Fort Hare
The University of Fort Hare (UFH) established the Psychological Services Centre which focuses on service in the areas of psychotherapy, tertiary training and research. You can contact the centre by calling 043 704 7046/7114 or sending an email to [email protected] or [email protected].
University of Pretoria
The University of Pretoria (UP) provides support to students struggling with their mental health through their Student Counselling Unit (SCU). The SCU offers a variety of mental health products and services to students. You may want to scroll through our reading material, listen to a podcast, join a webinar or a peer support group.
Students can call 0800 747 747, send an SMS to 31393 or email [email protected] with their name, student number, faculty or campus and cell phone number for help.
University of Limpopo
The Centre for Student Counselling and Development at the University of Limpopo (UL) is able to help students in times of need. Students can contact the centre at 015 268 2437/2552 to book an appointment or visit the Centre at Block “D”.
For after hours emergencies, students can then call 015 268 2849/2498.
University of Mpumalanga
The University of Mpumalanga (UMP) assists students who struggle with their mental health by offering counselling services. Students can book an appointment by calling 013 002 0179 or sending an email to [email protected].
University of the Free State
The University of Free State (UFS) developed Student Counselling and Development to offer individual, confidential counselling for various psychological, emotional, and developmental challenges to students.
Depending on which campus you’re on, contact details differ.
Additional Resources For Students
- Higher Health helpline: 0800 36 36 36/ SMS 43336
- LifeLine: 011 728 1347/0861 322 322
- South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG): 0800 567 567/SMS 31393
- SADAG Substance Abuse Helpline: 0800 121314
- Akeso Psychiatric Response Unit: 0861 435787
- Narcotics Anonymous: 083 900 6962
