Statistics show that the rate of psychological disturbances leading to Suicide, Homicide, Marital breakdown, Alcoholism, Drug abuses etc. are increasing at an alarming rate all over the world.

According to the National Mental Health Program document, about 20-30 million Indians are in need of some form of mental health care. Every year 2,50,000 new cases are being reported. But these figures do not include the thousands of others who may be suffering in silence without access to help. With timely intervention and proper care, at least 60 percent of these disturbed people can recover completely and at least 70 percent can avoid chronic illness and disability. A large number of people can be helped merely by listening empathically and actively, thus establishing a caring human interaction, which makes the disturbed individual open to explore, understand and change something in himself to solve his problem. This is called personal counselling.

Personal Counselling has never been more needed than it is today. There is an urgent need to rescue toxic and failing relationships, the relationship of man with himself, relationships within families, between neighbors, between communities and even between countries, before we self-destruct as a human race.

The Stigma of Counselling
Man is obsessed with, and doing so much for increasing the longevity of mankind, but have we ever thought of the quality of life we lead? Physical well-being and health is given the highest priority with newer drugs flooding the market everyday. Has anyone ever thought as much about emotional well-being and mental health? The World Health Organization has declared that the emotional health of humanity is declining, that cases of depression, nervous anxiety and psychosomatic disorders are on the rise, and that family doctors should look for signs in a patient, which would indicate the need for counselling. In a society where going to the gym for physical fitness training and workouts is considered as the 'in' thing to do, it is sad to see that mental and emotional fitness and training is not accorded the same status. There is an invisible stigma attached to counselling, wherein general practitioners hesitate to refer cases for personal counselling fearing that their patients may take offense. Denial of the need for therapy only compounds the problem, for if there is anything worse than having a problem; it is denying that you have one. Timely intervention of counselling can avert many a disaster. Besides the removal of the stigma of counselling and correct referrals by family, friends and family doctors, what is required is creating an awareness of the dire need of counselling, and the awareness of the availability of such help. Those who need the intervention of counselling should not only be encouraged to reach out for help, but should also be applauded for the decision of taking active steps for bettering their life. For this, the support of general practitioners, social workers, other members of the helping profession and above all, the media, is extremely important. They are the ones who need to create awareness of the entity of counselling, the need for it and help in removing the stigma attached to it.

A friend in need
The country does not have even 3000 counsellors and the requirement is manifold. It is therefore my endeavor to teach basic counselling skills to as many people as possible, through the Training Programs I conduct in Personal Counselling. If during these times of stress, competition and low frustration tolerance the disturbed individual is able to find immediate help in his family, social or work environment in the form of an empathic and caring listener who will give him a ‘hand up’, so many disasters can be averted. He can then subsequently be referred to a professional counselor.

There is an urgent need for establishing meaningful human interaction between people. The fast-paced highly competitive urban world, the break up of the joint family system, more women working outside the house, single child norm etc. means that a 'friend in need' is even more required today. If we can increase the number of such 'friends' who DARE TO CARE and if they are spread across every part of society, the rate of disturbed individuals becoming chronically ill and disabled will most definitely reduce. It needs to be mentioned that such caring not only benefits the receiver of care, but also benefits the caregiver who gets in touch with his own human side, thus exerting him to be the best human being that he can be.

What is Personal Counselling?
There are several misconceptions about the nature and intention of counselling and therapy. Many people believe that the purpose of therapy is to talk about their problems, rather than devising active means of solving these problems. It is not talk that is important, but action.

For successful therapy, certain essential conditions need to be fulfilled.
• Identifying something as a problem. Many people, who are unfulfilled and even seem to suffer, are in denial about having a problem.
• Accepting the possibility that something can be done about it. Many people admit having problems but feel that that's the way they are and that nothing can be done about it.
• Expressing a desire to change. Many people say they have problems, acknowledge the possibility of change, but seem uninterested in changing.
• A willingness to make an effort and do whatever it takes to change. This is crucial in distinguishing people who change from those who don't, and this is what finally determines the success or failure of counselling.
The fact is that that psychological growth and emotional re-education, like any other form of learning and development, calls for active participation on the part of the learner. The counselee needs to BE committed, DO whatever it takes, and as a result HAVE what he wants.
Thus the objective of all counselling and therapy is to get the counsellee to understand that the locus of control is in him, to take responsibility for his contribution to his situation, and to thus get him to fully participate in his own healing and work towards a harmonious life.

The Heart to Heart Counselling Centre, based in Mumbai (Bombay) India, is a social organization devoted to help society in the area of mental & emotional health. We arrange training programs, certificate courses, seminars, workshops to create public awareness as well as education in the field of Counselling, Psychotherapy, Family welfare, Teenage guidance, AIDS awareness, Sex Education etc. Heart To Heart Counselling Centre, India has been regularly conducting Professional level, intensive, practical training programs in various models of Counselling & Psychotherapy (Non-Directive and Active-Directive) at 10 Jerbai Baug, Near Gloria church, Byculla-East, Mumbai (Bombay) 400027, India. Each of theses training programs (Certificate Courses) practically trains participants in the scientific, contemporary and internationally most widely accepted Methodology/Scientific technique of Counselling. These Certificate Training Courses in Counselling are suitable and ideal for those who are or want to be in people-oriented professions such as Counsellors, Therapists, HR Personnel, Leaders & Trainers in Corporate world, Medical, Paramedical & Psychology students, Management Trainees, Social workers and NGO workers/volunteers. For details contact +91 22 22184528 or +91 22 23755866 or 09821093902