(October 16, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) A celebration for commemoration of the National Counselling Day organized by the Ministry of Social Services and Social Welfare, was held under the distinguished patronage of Douglas Devananda, Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare at “Sawsiripaya”, # 123, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 07, on the 15th of October 2008. The Minister issuing a message on behalf of this celebration has stated that there exists a massive challenge to the counselling services in promoting the mental health of the people in the cleared areas, in the context of the ongoing war situation.
In the face of disastrous consequences of both man-made and natural calamities, the people in these areas are subjected to various Mental Disorders. As the Counselling Division of his Ministry has drawn up concerted plans for initiation next year for the purpose of uplifting the Mental Health of these people, the Minister in his statement urged the participation of the counselling bodies of the other State institutions and those of the non-governmental organizations towards this endeavour.
The Minister in his message has stated that the 2nd week of October every year is named the “International Mental Health Week” and consequently the 10th of October every year is commemorated the as “International Mental Health Day”. Parallel to this the Counselling Division of his Ministry celebrates the “National Counselling Day” on the 15th of every year and that the counselling could do a lot in the sphere of Mental Health.
He also states in his message that in the developed countries the counselling services parallel with the other health services have tremendously advanced. The counselling services in Sri Lanka though have not developed to that extent, the counsellors attached to his Ministry cater their services to the public at Divisional Secretariat level through the counselling centres. They also provide with their services to the needy individuals and groups launching various programmes.
The Minister in his message points out that the counsellors in his Ministry are attached to the other Divisional and National State Institutions as well. As such their services are at hand in Prisons, Hospitals, Rehabilitation Centres, Children’s and Elders’ Homes, constituting the correction centres. Reports submitted by the counsellors reveal that there is a gradual drop of Mental Health problems in the places where the counsellors are at work.
The 24 hour hot line for counselling, commenced at the beginning of this year has been observed to well cater to the needy, though it’s not practically possible to provide with counselling services over the phone, it has helped immensely connecting the needy with the counsellors, the message adds.
The Minister further states in his message that the counselling services have greatly contributed towards curbing of social ills like; Grave crimes, Addiction to drugs and alcohol, Family problems, Tendencies for committing suicide, Negligence of elders, Child abuse, Incest. Mental and physical disabilities, Loss of job satisfaction, etc.
The theme of the Mental Health week this year the world over is “Promoting Mental Health of citizens through advocacy and Action”, “the Counselling Division of his Ministry has planned to conduct counselling clinics by visiting institutions, such as; Prisons, Angoda Mental Hospital, Maharagama Cancer Hospital and Children’s and Elders’ Homes after the ceremony, going by the said theme, the Minister’s message adds.
The Minister also states in his Message that he expects to make necessary arrangements in the near future to formulate a national policy to disseminate the Counselling Services in the entire Island as it was high time for such an exercise. - Sri Lanka Guardian
In the face of disastrous consequences of both man-made and natural calamities, the people in these areas are subjected to various Mental Disorders. As the Counselling Division of his Ministry has drawn up concerted plans for initiation next year for the purpose of uplifting the Mental Health of these people, the Minister in his statement urged the participation of the counselling bodies of the other State institutions and those of the non-governmental organizations towards this endeavour.
The Minister in his message has stated that the 2nd week of October every year is named the “International Mental Health Week” and consequently the 10th of October every year is commemorated the as “International Mental Health Day”. Parallel to this the Counselling Division of his Ministry celebrates the “National Counselling Day” on the 15th of every year and that the counselling could do a lot in the sphere of Mental Health.
He also states in his message that in the developed countries the counselling services parallel with the other health services have tremendously advanced. The counselling services in Sri Lanka though have not developed to that extent, the counsellors attached to his Ministry cater their services to the public at Divisional Secretariat level through the counselling centres. They also provide with their services to the needy individuals and groups launching various programmes.
The Minister in his message points out that the counsellors in his Ministry are attached to the other Divisional and National State Institutions as well. As such their services are at hand in Prisons, Hospitals, Rehabilitation Centres, Children’s and Elders’ Homes, constituting the correction centres. Reports submitted by the counsellors reveal that there is a gradual drop of Mental Health problems in the places where the counsellors are at work.
The 24 hour hot line for counselling, commenced at the beginning of this year has been observed to well cater to the needy, though it’s not practically possible to provide with counselling services over the phone, it has helped immensely connecting the needy with the counsellors, the message adds.
The Minister further states in his message that the counselling services have greatly contributed towards curbing of social ills like; Grave crimes, Addiction to drugs and alcohol, Family problems, Tendencies for committing suicide, Negligence of elders, Child abuse, Incest. Mental and physical disabilities, Loss of job satisfaction, etc.
The theme of the Mental Health week this year the world over is “Promoting Mental Health of citizens through advocacy and Action”, “the Counselling Division of his Ministry has planned to conduct counselling clinics by visiting institutions, such as; Prisons, Angoda Mental Hospital, Maharagama Cancer Hospital and Children’s and Elders’ Homes after the ceremony, going by the said theme, the Minister’s message adds.
The Minister also states in his Message that he expects to make necessary arrangements in the near future to formulate a national policy to disseminate the Counselling Services in the entire Island as it was high time for such an exercise. - Sri Lanka Guardian
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