NCPCR calls for more child counsellors in state

SHILLONG: There is a dearth of good child counsellors in the state and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has asserted that there is a need to train supervisors, social workers and others to bridge the gap.
Speaking during the workshop on ‘Continuing professional development of counsellors working in CCIs’, NCPCR member Rupa Kapoor said supervisors must be trained well in institutionsas as counselors.
The workshop was organised by the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and NCPCR on Thursday.
She told reporters that though children in observation homes are given care but the kind of mental care that should be given is missing, and counsellors are very less in the country and most of the time they are not able to give time to each and every child in need of help.
“If they know the basic issues of counselling and if they know what is wrong with the children then they can protect them from taking drastic steps,” she said adding that there are times when children can be violent and suicidal, “which makes it all the more important to address the issue”.
Kapoor pointed out that child rights budgets should be increased, more resources and counsellors should be provided and there should be support in schools and communities.
“We have brought doctors together from all over the country and we have come out with a handbook in counselling which is available on our website,” she added.
She stated that the Commission is together with the Ministry of Panchayat so that children can be safeguarded at the Panchayat level itself, protection measures to be maintained at home, village and street levels.
Kapoor said, “We should protect our children from migrating from villages and coming to cities, we should protect them from becoming street children.”
On the other hand, she added that mental health problems in India are increasing by the day and it is becoming one of the most critical issues with many people opening up about their mental illness.