LifeLine

LifeLine South Africa is one of the country's oldest and largest mental health and crisis support networks, founded in 1963 in Australia by Reverend Dr Alan Walker and first established in South Africa in Cape Town in 1968. For over 55 years, LifeLine has been providing free, confidential, 24-hour support to anyone in crisis — regardless of their circumstances, location, or the nature of their challenge.

The national organisation serves as the umbrella body for 18 LifeLine centres across 8 provinces, including the previously listed LifeLine Vaal Triangle. It operates three critical national helplines from its national call centre — all of which are free and available to every person in South Africa, around the clock, every day of the year. They are committed to making mental and emotional health a universal right — not a privilege.

For GBV survivors, LifeLine's most immediately important offering is the Stop Gender Violence Helpline — a dedicated 24/7 line staffed by trained counsellors available in all 11 official languages, which you can call or WhatsApp without ever having to speak out loud.

What They Offer Survivors — Available Nationwide

Stop Gender Violence Helpline — 0800 150 150 (Toll-Free, 24/7) This is South Africa's national helpline specifically for people experiencing or who have experienced gender-based violence — whether physical, emotional, sexual, or financial. It is available in all 11 official languages. You can call, or WhatsApp for a silent text-based conversation if it is not safe to speak. Counsellors listen, support you, and help you identify your next steps. All calls are free from any network, at any hour, any day of the year. Both survivors and those witnessing abuse can call.

National Counselling Line — 0861 322 322 (Shared Call, 24/7) A 24/7 telephone counselling line for any mental or emotional health concern — from trauma, grief, and relationship challenges to suicidal thoughts, domestic violence, depression, and anxiety. Counsellors are trained to provide immediate support and referrals.

AIDS Helpline — 0800 012 322 (Toll-Free, 24/7) A free, 24-hour helpline offering HIV and AIDS counselling, information on ARV treatment, TB, and STI management, and medical referrals. The helpline has a specialised Treatment Line staffed by professional nurses. For survivors whose experience of sexual violence has created fear or uncertainty around HIV, this line offers immediate, expert guidance.

Online and WhatsApp Counselling In addition to telephone counselling, LifeLine offers email counselling and WhatsApp messaging — making it possible to reach out discreetly, without speaking, and at a time and place of your choosing.

Local LifeLine Centres — Face-to-Face Counselling Across 8 provinces, LifeLine's regional centres offer face-to-face counselling, trauma support, GBV counselling, shelter services, and community education. Use the national helpline (0861 322 322) or LifeLine's website to locate your nearest centre.

MomConnect — Maternal Health Support A Department of Health initiative operated by LifeLine, MomConnect sends targeted health promotion messages to pregnant women — dial 134550# to register.

The Stop Gender Violence Helpline (0800 150 150) is available FREE to anyone in South Africa — any time, any day, all 11 languages. You can call or WhatsApp silently. No one will judge you.