Psychological Counseling for 20 Nepali Children

In July, Ankur Counseling Center launched a community mental health program in collaboration with the Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Ward 22, Bungamati. The new program aims to increase access to mental health and raise mental health awareness in communities to address the rising mental health crisis in the country, where suicide is the leading cause of death. 

Here a glimpse of the impact of this project since July:

Counseling and Therapy

• Ankur Counseling Center conducted 441 counseling sessions (individual and group sessions) for children and youth from NYF’s children’s homes and other childcare homes, NYF scholarship students, vocational education trainees, and other community clients. 
• The counseling sessions used appropriate psychological interventions such as counseling skills, sand play therapy, expressive art technique, clay work, story-telling, cognitive behavior techniques, and non-directive play therapies. The group sessions were specifically focused on expressing feelings, self-esteem, teamwork, and cooperation.
• Likewise, 5 house visits were made by the counselors to Olgapuri Children’s Village. The house visits involved psychological observation of children, group work with the children, and meeting with house parents regarding children’s issues. 
• Ankur Counseling Center conducted 15 sessions of training and orientation for 201 people on various topics related to psychology and life skills in this reporting period. The participants were mainly adolescents, youth, and staff from NYF programs and other organizations. The trainings were provided in the following topics: Bullying, Self Esteem, Self-Care, Communication skills, Goal Setting & Decision Making, Creative Movement Therapy (CMT) and Peer Counseling Training. 
• Additionally, the Ankur Counseling Center celebrated World Mental Health Day on October 10th by organizing a community awareness event at a local school in Bungamati, Chunikhel. We were especially excited about the local government’s collaboration to make this event a success! The event was themed, “Mental Health is a Universal Human Right”, and was attended by students, teachers, and government representatives. The day was filled with interactive presentations, an art competition, speeches, and activities to uplift the inroads made within schools as well as to educate students on the mental health resources available to them through the Ankur Counseling Center.

We’re so amazed by the dedicated team of counselors and therapists who add the holistic pillar of mental health to so many of our programs! 

Make a donation this #GivingTuesday, November 28th to help us unlock additional funds!

#GivingTuesday is right around the corner, a generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. In celebration of organizations, like NYF, driving local progress, GlobalGiving is offering the nonprofit community $1.2 million in incentive funds on November 28th ONLY! The more we raise, the more bonus funds we’ll unlock. Join us during this 24-hour window and help us maximize our impact for children and youth in Nepal.

Links:

• More about Ankur Counseling Center