Bermuda Counsellors Association

We are very fortunate to have in this community, highly trained professional counsellors to help our citizens meet the challenges of every day living. Because April is Counselling Awareness Month, we salute their contributions to promoting positive, mental health for all of us in the community.
More important, we want to share some of the ways that professional counsellors serve this community. The preventative measures that they advocate encourage people of all ages, cultures and physical capabilities to strive to reach maximum potential in their personal lives, their education and their careers. These dedicated professionals make a difference in people's lives by helping them set goals, overcome barriers, access resources and plan fulfilling, productive lives. Professional counsellors work in a wide variety of settings. They promote positive change at schools and at college, mental health agencies, rehabilitation/residential facilities, correctional institutions, religious organisations, community centres and in private practice, just to name a few. Professional counsellors in our community touch our daily lives. They help children and adolescents by setting up programmes to curb violence and help create an environment in which students see each other as important players in the success of both, the school and themselves. Professional counsellors are at the forefront helping to prepare young adults for a variety of career opportunities beyond high school. In addition, they have been instrumental in helping people resolve personal and family conflicts, such as divorce, separation, remarriage, abuse step-parenting custody issues, death or sexuality concerns.
These are just a few illustrations of the impact that professional counsellors have on our lives. We salute them and encourage you and your readers to consider how professional counselling can make a I difference in your lives. I We also take this opportunity to salute the Health Department as they celebrate "Public Health Week", March 30-April 5, and Child & Family Services as they celebrate "Child Abuse Prevention Month" during April. For more information on professional counselling, contact the Bermuda Counsellors Association for a free copy of "Professional Counselling - "The Facts"

at 291.5582.
SONIA PAYNTER
Chairperson
Bermuda Counsellors Association