Counselling for Napier police applauded

PRESS RELEASE – DATED 12TH MAY, 2009

HOME AND FAMILY COUNSELLING

Counselling for Napier police applauded : Counselling Awareness Week launched.

Mary Gray, executive director Home and Family Counselling, the agency that coordinates Counselling Awareness Week is thrilled to announce the launch of the third Counselling Awareness Week from May 17 – 22nd . The week will send a message to those under stress that “Its better to talk” and that counselling can make all the difference in how you deal with a distressing situation.

“Counselling Awareness Week is significant now more than ever with kiwi families feeling the squeeze of economic recession. Distressing incidents like the Napier siege will have impacted on the families of the police and even many of the public. It is pleasing to hear that police officers are being offered counselling to help them cope. It is also an option for people for whom it may trigger major anxieties or memories of past unfortunate events. The importance of counselling in helping people cope and move on is highlighted by such sad circumstances”, says Mary Gray.

The agencies supporting Counselling Awareness Week this year include Lifeline, Youthline, Problem Gambiling Foundation, Relationship Services, Catholic Family and Relationship Service, Anglican Trust for Women and Children and New Zealand Association of Counsellors.

“Stress stemming from job losses, increased financial problems due to economic recession, spiraling crime and other traumatic situations can place huge demands on a person and their relationships,” Mary Gray. “Often reaction to stress and trouble result in people lashing out or bottling things up. Resorting to alcohol and other drugs are other undesirable ways that people try to cope with pressures in their lives. Counselling provides a positive and effective alternative to support people in their difficult times.

During Counselling Awareness Week, we are reaching out to kiwis with everyday problems be it a relationship issue, parenting difficulties, grief or stress. Our message is about the huge benefits there are in talking confidentially to a professional counsellor.

“ Key benefits clients have reported from counselling include gaining a sense of empowerment, lessening isolation, receiving a sense of understanding and support and a positive sense of the future.”, says Mary Gray.

The week’s activities include talks by experienced counsellors to service clubs, book displays in libraries and a T shirt designing competition for children across libraries in Auckland, Manukau and North Shore. People can also log on to www.homeandfamily.org.nz to read about the benefits of counselling and send in queries to a panel of counsellors from the various agencies who are supporting the week.

Minister for Social Development and Employment, Paula Bennett is the guest speaker at a celebration breakfast of all counselling agencies on May 22nd, marking Counselling Awareness Week.

For enquiries about the week, please contact Mary Gray, executive director Home and Family Counselling at 021 2305405

More about Counselling Awareness Week

Key slogan for the week “ Its better to talk”

The week will reinforce that ;

It’s better to talk … than lashing out in anger.
It’s better to talk … than bottling up and ruining a relationship
It’s better to talk … than walking away
If you are being bullied at school or via the internet, It’s better to talk to an adult.
If stress is building up and relationships are breaking down, “Its better to talk” to a counsellor.
If life is losing all its joy and depression is weighing you down, find a counsellor –“ Its better to talk”
If you are a victim of domestic violence, “ Its better to talk” and seek help.

Aims of Counselling Awareness Week

• To promote understanding about what counselling is and what it can achieve.
• To publicise the benefits and acceptability of counselling as a sensible and desirable way to deal with problems in relationships at home or at work.
• To promote counselling as an alternative to interpersonal violence both verbal and physical.
• To promote the acceptability of counselling to specific ethnic migrant communities for whom counselling is a foreign idea.

Week Activities

Experienced counsellors are reaching out to the community this year and giving talks to Service Clubs.

Libraries are promoting book display for the week and are also running a ‘Design a T-shirt ‘competition for children.

In addition, people are encouraged to logon to www.homeandfamily.org.nz and find out more about counselling. They can email specific queries they may have regarding whether counselling to the panel of experienced counsellors who will respond.

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