SHILLONG, May 17: In response to the Social Welfare Ministry’s recent announcement on training teachers as counsellors, the Meghalaya Progressive Counsellors’ Union (MPCU) on Friday submitted a comprehensive set of recommendations to government authorities, stressing the urgent need for professionally trained counsellors in both education and community health settings.
In a statement, the MPCU expressed concern that assigning counselling roles to teachers with minimal training could risk the mishandling of sensitive mental health issues. Instead, the union has advocated for the formal recognition and deployment of qualified mental health professionals across institutions.
“While teachers play a pivotal role in education, mental health care is a specialised field that demands specific training, supervision and ethical standards,” MPCU president, Bansara B Pasah, stated.
She informed that the union has suggested formal recognition of professional counsellors as essential to ethical, effective mental health service delivery.
According to her, there should be clear role definitions for professionals such as clinical psychologists, social workers and peer educators to ensure coordinated care.
She revealed that the union also suggested on the need for district-level rehabilitation centres, fully equipped with detoxification, counselling, vocational and recreational wings.
The MPCU also suggested the deployment of both counsellors and social workers in all educational institutions.
Meanwhile, the union also suggested expansion of the DREAM Project, with a focus on certified counsellor hiring, clinical supervision and infrastructure enhancement.
The union also raised concerns over the current deployment of unqualified individuals in mental health roles, calling for role alignment with academic and clinical credentials. Additionally, the MPCU is prepared to collaborate on certified training programmes in partnership with academic institutions.
The MPCU has proposed the establishment of a formal consultation mechanism with the DREAM Project to support evidence-based policymaking, service expansion and feedback integration.
“Mental health is not a luxury, it is a critical aspect of community well-being. We are ready to partner with the government to build sustainable and ethical mental health systems,” added the MPCU.
