Resource person NG Christina Elizabeth, Faculty, and students of NEISSR during a practical session on effective counselling and counselling simulations at BAM Hall, Chümoukedima, on October 27. (Morung Photo)
Chümoukedima, October 27 (MExN): The North East Institute of Social Sciences and Research (NEISSR) organised a practical session on effective counselling, featuring ten counselling simulations, at BAM Hall on October 27 to equip social work students with skills to address the emotional, psychological and social challenges faced by young people.
The programme highlighted the importance of mental health and well-being and the role of social casework and counselling in helping young people overcome challenges, recognise their strengths and realise their potential, informed a press release from NEISSR.
NG Christina Elizabeth, Project Coordinator, Peace Channel, and resource person for the session, highlighted essential counselling skills, including empathy, active listening, trust-building, confidentiality, non-judgmental communication and ethical practice.
Addressing the students, NEISSR Principal Dr Fr C P Anto stressed the need to equip Master of Social Work (MSW) students with counselling knowledge and practical skills to support young people's emotional and psychological well-being.
As per the release, the practical session featured ten role-play simulations covering drug addiction, alcohol misuse, suicidal thoughts and emotional distress, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, friendship conflicts, poor time management, excessive social media use, family pressure and career confusion, and examination anxiety.
Working in pairs, students alternated between the roles of counsellor and client, applying counselling principles to realistic situations.
The exercises provided practical exposure to empathetic communication, problem-solving, risk recognition and appropriate referrals, the release said.
The programme concluded with student feedback and reflection, reinforcing the importance of ethical, sensitive and client-centred counselling in professional social work practice, it added.
