“I no longer feel alone. Support gave me back my confidence and my family.”
Nthabi, Gaborone
Recovery program member since 2024
For a long time I thought the problem was something I had to carry on my own. I did not want to worry anyone at home, so I said nothing, and the silence made everything feel heavier than it needed to be.
Calling the helpline was the first time I said any of it out loud. Nobody told me what I should have done differently. They asked what I wanted my life to look like, and then we worked backwards from there — one small, practical step at a time.
Joining a recovery group in 2024 changed the pace of it. Hearing other people describe the same thoughts I had been having made me realise how ordinary my situation was, and how many people come through it.
What I have back now is not dramatic. It is confidence in my own decisions, and evenings with my family where I am actually present. If you are reading this and recognise yourself, please make the call. You will not be judged, and you do not have to have it all worked out first.
Shared with permission. Names and identifying details are changed or withheld to protect privacy.