From mothering children and caring for elderly parents to attending meetings, paying bills, and navigating relationships – women take on a lot, and it often becomes overwhelming. To meet them where they are, the Golden Foundation has launched a WhatsApp and free USSD support service, enabling women to confidentially request mental health assistance through a simple, accessible, and user-friendly process.
South Africa (24 July 2026) – Countless South African women carry far more than they should. Beyond their daily responsibilities, many endure intense financial pressure, grief, trauma, and burnout – all while being expected to stay strong and keep showing up.
Recognising these heavy loads and challenging the quiet assumption that women are always coping, the Golden Delight Foundation launched Far From Okay (#FFOK) last year. It was a bold initiative designed to shed light on what women are truly going through.
The response was incredible. SA women across communities stepped forward to share their personal stories about the heavy burdens they carry as caregivers and breadwinners, along with the isolation and pressure that so often come with those roles.
According to the Golden Delight Foundation, the initiative was never intended to be a once-off campaign. It was the beginning of a conversation, and now that conversation continues.
Building on the 2025 launch, and guided by its commitment to creating accessible, meaningful and sustainable support systems for women, the Golden Delight Foundation is proud to announce the next evolution of the Far From Okay movement.
This year, the campaign expands beyond physical activations through the introduction of a WhatsApp and free USSD mental health support service, an empowering new podcast series, strategic community partnerships and enhanced pathways to professional care designed to meet women wherever they are.
“Last year, women trusted us with their stories. They shared experiences that were often painful, deeply personal and long overdue for acknowledgement. What became clear was that the need for support did not end when Women’s Month ended,” says Shannon Franks, representing the Golden Delight Foundation.
“The evolution of Far From Okay reflects our commitment to ensuring that support remains accessible, responsive and available long after awareness campaigns conclude.”
Spotted a Pink Cap on Your Water Bottle This Month? Here’s the Story Behind It
UJ’s New Mobile Eye Clinic to Bring Free and Essential Eye Care to Those Who Truly Need ItSupport that helps women cope and heal
At the heart of the 2026 campaign is the launch of a free WhatsApp and USSD support service that enables women to confidentially request mental health assistance through a simple, accessible and user-friendly process.
Through this, women will be able to submit their details, indicate their preferred language, day and time for support, and be connected to psychosocial support workers.
Following an introductory assessment, participants will receive up to four sessions, providing emotional support, coping strategies and, where necessary, referrals to specialist services.
The service has been intentionally designed to remove barriers that often prevent women from seeking help, including cost, stigma, time constraints and accessibility.
And for women requiring urgent crisis intervention outside operating hours will be directed to appropriate emergency and crisis support services. Importantly, women do not need to be in crisis to access support.
A podcast for the conversations we often avoid
Alongside the support service, the Foundation will launch a new Far From Okay podcast series featuring respected psychologists, counsellors, social workers and nurses who will engage in honest, nuanced and practical discussions around the realities many women face every day.
Each episode will explore topics such as emotional burnout, motherhood, financial stress, identity, grief, relationships, loneliness, self-care and the invisible mental load carried by women.
The podcast has been intentionally designed to reflect the real pressures women are facing, reframe those experiences with empathy, validation and practical support, as well as connect women directly to the broader support ecosystem available through the campaign.
Meeting women where they are – leaving them better
Far From Okay is about creating a culture where vulnerability is met with compassion, where support is accessible and where women understand that they do not have to navigate life’s challenges alone.
The campaign will also continue collaborating with community structures, including women’s groups, stokvel networks, grassroots organisations and strategic partners that already serve as trusted support systems within communities.
As more South African women struggle with mental health while balancing family, work, and financial pressures, the foundation believes emotional well-being is essential to true empowerment.
Mental health impacts every part of a woman’s life: her family, her income, her confidence, and her self-worth. Supporting women’s mental well-being isn’t just a health issue; it is vital for community and social growth.
Far From Okay continues to champion the belief that every woman deserves access to dignity and hope. Because being strong should never mean suffering in silence.
The WhatsApp number is 072 589 9311; alternatively, you can dial *120*51015# to request a free, confidential call-back.
Sources: Golden Delight Foundation
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:
Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 
