10 psychosocial counselors has been developed in Mechi zone. 5 persons from HURF, and 2 from HUCODEC Panchthar, 2 from ECDF Taplejung and 1 from MJK Jhapa got the six month training. These counselors now can handle the patients who are suffered from psychosocial problem, they provide counseling, trainings, and advisory supports according to Mr. Bijaya Saran Acharya, Facilitator of the training.
At the end of the training, the situation of psychosocial problem in Mechi zone was discussed with press meet. The rate of suicide has been increased in Mechi, which is one of the negative effects of the problem.
The local and national news and media highlighted the need of awareness and paid some especial concern on the issues. All the local media and some of the national media covered the news and issue right after the press meet.
HURF formally organized a closing session with an interaction problem with the district level stakeholders to inform and introduce the psychosocial counselors developed in Mechi zone.
Mr. Hom Dulal, former coordinator of Local Peace Committee highlighted the need of these counselors and expressed his commitment to work for the effective working atmosphere for the counselors. "It is our tragedy to view such a dreadful data of suicide that a large number of people are dying every second without treatment."
The participants were decorated with their certificates. Mr. Suraj Koirala, the executive director of TPO Nepal expressed that there almost 300 counselors in Nepal in the field of Psychosocial support. The program was chaired by Mohan Singh Thebe, HURF Chairperson.
The training program was supported by ZFD-GIZ and conducted from Jan- June, 2013.