District Peer Counselling Underway

District Peer Counselling Underway

The Ministry of Health Services plans to establish a Community-based Peer Counselling programme in each district.

This programme is designed to provide emotional and social support. Individuals participating in the peer counselling sessions will receive information, learn stress management skills and have an opportunity to discuss ways of solving problems as well as to share strategies for coping with difficult situations.

Persons with or without previous counseling experience who are interested in facilitating a District Peer Counselling Group should sign up for a training seminar by calling 949-9000 before December 3, 2004.

Who should sign up for the training seminar?

1. Community representatives
2. Teachers
3. Human resources professionals with public relations experience
4. Ministers
5. Parents/PTA members

What will you learn?

1. Why peer counselling?
2. How peer counselling is different from traditional therapy
3. Common reactions to disaster/ post disaster stress
4. Specific reactions to disaster for at risk groups
5. Strategies and skills to reduce stress
6. Progressive deep muscle relaxation
7. Guided imagery and visualization
8. Concepts of loss and grief
9. Caregiver stress and “compassion fatigue”.

When and where will the training seminar be held?

• Dec. 9 (5:00 PM to 9:00 PM)
• Dec. 10 (5:00 PM to 9:00 PM)
• Dec. 11 (9:00 AM to 6:00 PM)

Location: Conference Room at Cayman Corporate Centre on Hospital Road