More people seeking in-person counselling

More people are showing up for face-to-face mental health services now that the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted.

Word of this has come from Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Center for Counseling Addiction Support Alternatives (CASA) Edmund Grimes, who addressed the media on the sidelines of the 22nd anniversary church service for his organization at New Dimensions Ministries Sunday morning.

“Persons are coming forward especially now that the restrictions are lifted and the lockdowns are over and there are significant numbers who seem to prefer [counselling]  in-person,” he said.

He added that with limited manpower and financial resources his organisation is seeking other avenues to carry out its operations.

“There is definitely an increase in the need for counsel and we will need to increase the number of counsellors and I think as with any other organisation, at this time finances aren’t easy so we have to structure and put on things like fundraising activities to ensure we have the finances in place to be able to carry on our operations,” he explained.

Grimes said mental health issues were spurred on by the pandemic with people coming forward for more counselling for abusing drugs.

“There appears to be an increase in those seeking help for substance abuse based on the requests and I think a lot of those requests are coming through the mental health hotline so persons are calling in,” he said.

The CASA chairman added that with individuals abusing illegal substances it doesn’t start necessarily through peer pressure but most times through the need to resolve an underlying problem.

“If we can tackle those problems and bring people to counsel, to help them to find their solution, then they may not turn to substance abuse,” he said. (MR)