A change of heart
HE was known to lack discipline in school and always ended up in all kinds of trouble.
However, being a juvenile, he was given a warning for his bad behaviour and provided an opportunity to change.
Peer pressure was a contributing factor to changes brought about in the student’s behaviour.
However, after being provided counselling services, changes are being seen in the high school student’s behaviour and life.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, peer pressure is defined as a feeling that one must do the same things as other people of one’s age and social group in order to be liked or respected by them.
The child’s father was advised by the school principal to seek counselling assistance from Empower Pacific.
He contacted the NGO via the 24/7 toll free counselling helpline 5626.
This is the story of a high school student in the Western Division who was counselled by our qualified counsellor, Aarti Akaansha recently.
As part of a holistic intervention into the wellbeing of the child, his parents were also engaged in family facilitation sessions to effectively provide continuous support to the child in any way possible.
The child’s father said his son’s school principal told him about Empower Pacific and suggested to seek counselling assistance.
He said they were facing problems regarding his son since 2021.
After the counselling sessions, he said, “We see a difference in his attitude, discipline and other things.”
“I feel secured now knowing that he has changed his ways.
He now realises the importance of self-discipline and how he can avoid peer pressure.
“The only advice I can give to people facing mental health issues is that Empower Pacific is the suitable place to visit in terms of counselling support.
“You’ll be guaranteed of the impact of counselling and will experience changes,” he said.
The student said he was told by his parents about the NGO and its counselling services.
During the session, he admitted that he had discipline problems in school.
“The advice and instructions I got from the counsellor helped me a lot. I feel better and am slowly trying to change now,” he said.
Asked about the major change that he experienced after counselling, he said, “I contribute to the family by helping my sister do house chores.”
The only advice he can give to people after undergoing counselling is “never look down on yourself”.
Ms Akaansha said the child’s parents were advised by his school principal to seek counselling assistance from Empower Pacific.
“The child shared that he usually got blamed for everything in his class and children took advantage of him for anything that went wrong as all students knew about his history,” she said.
She said the child had behavioural issues such as playing in class, fighting, stealing other students’ food and other things.
“Due to the influence from his peers, he would not listen to his parents or help them with household chores and would usually waste time mingling with young boys in the village.
“But after being counselled, he learned more about peer pressure, self-improvement and how to make decisions for himself. He learned that he could be better and do better.”
Ms Akaansha said the feedback she received in her follow-up sessions was that the child was doing better in school and no longer disrupted the class.
“He is doing the right things at the right time. He plays when it is time and concentrates on his school work in class. He is also more disciplined at home.
“He spends time helping out at home and only engages with the boys for sporting activities like playing soccer, thus minimal engagement with those who were influencing him,” she said.
Overall, counselling assisted the child by instilling self- reflection, embracing his strengths and worth thus changing him from a boy who was described as troublesome to a well-mannered child.
This is just one of the many stories resulting in significant change through counselling provided by qualified counsellors at Empower Pacific.
Cases are often referred to the NGO from partners such as government departments and other CSOs with the hope of giving relief to people from various issues resulting in the proper care and protection of one’s mental health and wellbeing.
As an NGO focusing on providing counselling and social services, Empower Pacific provides Mental Health & Psychosocial Support to children going through mental health and behavioural problems in life.
Should you wish to seek counselling or know someone who needs it, then do not hesitate to call our toll free 24/7 counselling helpline 5626.