Psychosocial Support and Holistic learning

 Funds were not reached for this Micro Project and we have closed this project. We will be focussing on our 'healing children and youth in Sri Lanka' and will continue to raise funds for this project,

Further, our Micro Project, Sustaining the 'Art of Living' Youth Center, did not raise funds through the Micro Project, but it was selected as a Project of the Month in July. We received the funds USD 10,000 in our account during the last week of August.

The following activities were carried out for the period June -September for providing psychosial services

1. Executive Summary

Short-term impacts expected in the project applying a PYD framework and addressing the emotional well-being of the youth and children within the urban poor communities in Colombo it is expected to reduce symptoms of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and stress while improving their life skills.

The report summarizes key activities related to expanding counseling services.

2. Summary of the Key Activities

The key activities completed under the objective "Expand Counseling Services" during the project reporting period are as follows:

i)  Provide one-on-one counseling services by a trained and qualified Multi-Disciplinary Team for youth, LBGT persons, and persons with special needs

ii)   Free hotline counseling service.

iii)  Facilitate support groups for varying mental health needs.

iv)  Community Engagement Initiatives for the Counseling Program

i) Provide one-on-one counselling services and hotline counselling services:

a) In Person/Online Counselling :

From July to September 2024, a total of 140 were onsite. Continuous counseling was provided to 34 clients, with an average of two new clients joining each month. Approximately half of these clients sought help due to relationship difficulties.

b) Counselling to the community children:

Among the counselling services provided, the community counselling sessions were noteworthy. A total of 36 counselling sessions were conducted for community children addressing issues such as relationships, grief, anxiety, and trauma.

The sessions have led to significant achievements in client goals, such as better emotional management, awareness of how biases affect reactions, improved self-care practices, enhanced distress tolerance, and more effective communication.

Notable impacts include increased comfort among children attending sessions in school uniforms and their openness about counseling with family, teachers, and friends. Teachers have also become more receptive

c) Hotline Counselling :

The hotline operates daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., providing Psychological First Aid (PFA), telecounseling, and handling general counseling inquiries. These services are critical in addressing immediate emotional needs and providing ongoing psychosocial support.

During the three months hotline received an average of 150 calls respectively, indicating a steady demand for support services.

The consistent availability of telecounseling and PFA helps individuals manage and alleviate distress, enhancing their emotional stability. The data shows a robust engagement with the hotline's services, which contributes to improved emotional well-being by offering timely support.

External referrals are vital for extending the reach and effectiveness of your counseling services, especially given the age limit of 29. By connecting clients with organizations like CAFS, CCC, Mel Medura, and Sahanaya, we ensure that individuals outside our capacity still receive specialized and relevant support. This approach not only addresses diverse needs through specialized care and allows our team to focus on immediate PFA support while ensuring comprehensive and appropriate care for all clients.

To ensure the quality of the counseling service, several key interventions were implemented. Twelve weekly supervision sessions for hotline counselors addressed difficulties and burnout, allowing them to provide crisis support to 15 clients. Six bi-weekly peer supervision sessions for the entire counseling team helped build rapport, understand problems from different perspectives, catch biases, and seek help in a safe, non-judgmental space. Additionally, six bi-weekly online training sessions for hotline counselors included role-plays to address their difficulties, while onsite training focused on specific counseling skills needed in sessions. Individual supervision and training sessions were also provided to address gaps in experience, enhancing the counselors' ability to engage with clients effectively and build emotional well-being and resilience in adolescents and youth.

ii) Facilitate Support Group Services

A total of 10 support group sessions were conducted during this period,  which significantly improved participants' emotional awareness.

In our ongoing efforts to support children from marginalized and impoverished urban communities, we undertook a comprehensive needs analysis to better understand the range of interpersonal and intrapersonal issues they face. These communities are plagued by poverty, marginalization, and violence, which exacerbate the prevalence of substance abuse, sexual exploitation, and mental health issues. Chronic exposure to violence and trauma significantly increases the risk of PTSD, depression, and anxiety among these children. Unfortunately, their access to mental health services is severely limited, making psychosocial support an essential component of their recovery and overall well-being.

Our observations also revealed that the children often struggle with maladaptive emotional regulation, frequently resorting to defensiveness and aggression instead of constructive communication when confronted with challenges. This tendency further highlights the necessity for focused intervention to teach healthier coping mechanisms.

iii) Community Engagement Initiatives for the Counseling Program

During this period, counselling team conducted three mental health education and awareness workshops in local community schools. These workshops were part of their community counseling outreach activities, designed to provide students with essential knowledge about mental health, coping strategies, and available resources. The aim was to foster a supportive school environment and equip students with the tools needed to manage their mental well-being.

Additionally, the team organized one Mental Health Education workshop for parents in the community. This session focused on educating parents about the importance of mental health, recognizing signs of mental health issues in their children, and understanding how to provide support. The goal was to create a cohesive support system that extends from the school to the home environment by engaging parents in the process.

Furthermore, the counselling team facilitated three mental health awareness workshops specifically designed for children in the community. These interactive and age-appropriate workshops aimed to raise awareness about mental health issues, reduce stigma, and foster a culture of openness and support among the younger population. Through these efforts, the team sought to empower children with knowledge and encourage them to seek help when needed.