More than 1040 children were counselled by Empower Pacific in 2022. According to the NGO, which focuses on counselling and psychosocial support, the bulk of the children who were counselled suffered from depression.
Empower Pacific chief executive officer Patrick Morgam said these cases were referred to them from the Attorney-General’s Office, the Legal Aid Commission and the Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation.
“Depression and suicide are major issues,” he said.
“Unfortunately, time and financial pressures on government departments have led some of them to consider short term measures utilising staff or volunteers who have no or inadequate counselling experience or social work training.”
Mr Morgam revealed the statistics in their written submission to the 2023-2024 National Budget.
“The current counselling service of the Ministry of Education can be further enhanced through the support of additional and professional services. Should the request arise,
Mr Morgam said Empower Pacific was ready to enhance existing services to improve the wellbeing of students and their overall resilience in a bid to reduce suicide attempts among high school students and young people.
He said the 2023-2024 National Budget should include funding for professional counselling for students, addressing mental health and suicide prevention issues.
Mr Morgam said the local NGO had a range of services which could be adapted for this purpose as well as developing purposebuilt programs as needs were identified.
“Empower Pacific Child Protection Services have been integrated to cut across all funded programs with the aim to adequately support and assist children to have increased access in relation to issues of abuse, neglect, exploitation and trauma.
“It is also very important to provide extensive awareness programs to communities and stakeholders so that they are well informed of child protection issues and can play proactive role in protecting our future, our children,” said Mr Morgam.
