Internet search reveals depths of depression in SADAG spot

It's sad, but true - the internet knows more about you than anyone else. People ask it questions and look for information that they feel they can’t ask or share with others. And that includes depression, anxiety and ultimately suicide. 

It's this insight that lies behind Net#work BBDO's simple yet powerful campaign for The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG). Taking viewers on the spiraling journey into the depths of depression via an individual’s internet searches, the film encourages those that find themselves asking the internet these types of things to start speaking. These searches are essentially reflections of a person’s mental wellbeing, but have the potential to become important signals that they should speak before they find themselves typing that last search. 

The searches were created through a combination of search analytics and trends, the experience of SADAG counsellors and, importantly, by talking one-on-one with people who had found themselves on this journey as some point in their lives. 

The spot was directed by Brad Reilly via Flare BBDO.