Counselling

In today’s complex and ever-changing world, schools play a crucial role in shaping young minds and preparing them for future success.

While academic achievement is undeniably important, it is equally vital to address stu­dents’ emotional and mental well-being.

Recognising this need, counselling pro­grammes in schools have emerged as an es­sential component of comprehensive educa­tion.

Now, it’s time we need to be more critical thinkers and include more professional coun­selling opportunities for our modern young learners.

We hear lots of issues that involve our young learners and the only way to handle this is through the implementation of the right counselling therapy for the young client.

School-based counselling offers invaluable emotional support to students who may be experiencing challenges at home, school, or within themselves.

Professional counsellors provide a listen­ing ear, empathetic guidance, and practical advice to help students navigate difficulties effectively.

By addressing personal issues, fostering self-awareness, and teaching essen­tial life skills, counselling intervention pro­grammes empower students to develop resil­ience, enhance decision-making abilities, and establish healthy relationships.

Sometimes we see that our male students are reluctant to visit a counsellor. They choose to keep their problems within themselves, and this leads to further damage in their lives.

Counselling is a skill and through profes­sional counselors we can provide safe and confidential space to students to explore their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

It can aid in addressing issues such as anxi­ety, depression, trauma, or relationship con­cerns from a neutral and non-judgmental perspective.

They will also develop a deeper understand­ing of themselves, their patterns of behavior, and their relationship to the world around them.

Goals for therapy can be tailored to meet specific needs and concerns, allowing male clients to gain insight, develop coping strate­gies, and build resilience.

It is time now that we must use new strat­egies to deal with our students’ issues. We have been listening about the increase in sub­stance abuse cases.

Well, this is when they have no choices or options to get out of their emotional issues affecting them.

They see substance abuse as a coping mechanism, and this leads them to more serious problems later in life.

If we have counselling services for our students and teenagers, we can handle sub­stance abuse cases easily.

■ Counselling can identify situations con­tributing to substance use;
■ Counselling can provide direct support for addiction;
■ Counselling can provide peer support for addiction;

■ Counselling can offer new behaviour strategies for recovery; and
■ Counselling can reduce the risk of relapse. I strongly believe if they have access to pro­fessional counsellors in school then we will have control on substance abuse cases. Caring for mental health is very important. Our children go through so many feelings and they need active listening ears to address their emotions.

Only then can we produce critical thinkers in our country.

Feedback: letters@fijisun.com.fj