There were a lot of things going on in her life that affected her state of mind that led to her having sleepless nights.
What she thought then would be the best remedy to relax her mind and get a good night’s sleep was alcohol.
Thus, began her journey with alcohol in her search to remedy her depressing state. It continued for a few months until recently when she went to the hospital.
She was advised by the doctor to seek counselling support after she stated the problems affecting her mental health, as a result of which she had to drink alcohol to help her sleep.
She was told by the doctor about Empower Pacific and the NGO’s 24/7 toll-free counselling helpline 5626.
Being an organisation that focuses on the provision of counselling and social work support services, Empower Pacific has a long-term partnership with the Ministry of Health & Medical Services.
Through this partnership, which is supported by the Ministry and the Fiji Facility Support Program, identified patients are referred to the NGO by doctors for counselling support.
The partnership looks at a collaborative approach in providing holistic care to people for mental health and psychosocial wellbeing.
After being informed by the doctor and told about the counselling helpline, the woman did not hesitate and called 5626.
It set the platform for her counselling sessions with our qualified counsellor, Aarti Akaansha, leading up to some positive changes in her mental health.
This is the story of a 33-year-old woman, who is legally separated from her husband and has a child.
The woman, whom we will refer to as client, said she called the counselling helpline because of her alcohol addiction. She said she was facing the problem for a few months.
Ms Akaansha said the client initially sort support because of drinking issues and she had some counselling sessions with her.
She said the client shared during the first counselling session that she was unable to sleep and she felt dependent on alcohol to help her with it.
“As the counselling sessions progressed, it became known that alcohol consumption wasn’t the main problem,” she said. ”
She was really overwhelmed with helping run her mother’s business while at the same time looking after hers.
“There were some disagreements between them on how her mother should run her business. It affected the client’s business too.”
Ms Akaansha said the client was upset and confused with everything going on in her life all at once.
“Being a single mother and the only child reliant on to run all errands while taking care of her own business had stressed her out.
“She was also upset over some things within her family. She felt that the only escape from all these was going out drinking with her friends.
“The client said she misses her father who is abroad and wishes to be with him, for various reasons.”
Ms Akaansha worked with the client on positive coping mechanisms.
“After the counselling sessions, the client realised that she doesn’t really have a drinking problem and she doesn’t have a sleeping problem either.”
She said the client was feeling less confused and overwhelmed now after the sessions.
“The client is coming to terms with accepting her roles and to deal with them better, without grief affecting her in upholding all her various responsibilities.”
Asked how she felt after the counselling sessions, the client said: “With the help of the counsellor, I was able to identify the root problem. I feel much better.
“I had five or six counselling sessions and I’m now able to manage stress in a more positive manner,” she said.
“The only thing I can tell people facing problems or going through stress affecting their mental health is that you shouldn’t be ashamed to seek professional help.
“If you leave it for too long, then you can end up in a situation that could have otherwise been avoided if you had sought help sooner.”
So, if you are facing mental health issues, then do not hesitate or shy away from reaching out and seeking counselling support.
It has been established that keeping problems bottled up and not discussing them with anyone can result in people having more mental health problems.
Empower Pacific has qualified counsellors at its head office in Lautoka and branches in Nadi, Tavua, Suva, Labasa, Nausori who are always ready and happy to help you.
People can call our toll-free counselling helpline 5626, which is supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade, if you need counselling assistance.
- AVINESH GOPAL is the communication and media officer for Empower Pacific.
