Call Me Today to provide phoneline counseling for blue-collars residing in Shwe Pyi Tha
Updated: Jun 10, 2020
Under the leadership of People in Need (PIN), Helvetas Myanmar and Call Me Today are organizing the blue-collar hotline for phone line counseling.
This is the part of the Aye Chan Taw Ein project, initiated by Helvetas Myanmar and People in Need (PIN) and funded by LIFT.
Total of eight counselors are to be assigned for four different telephone hotline. This project aim to facilitate and coping stresses of blue-collar workers residing in Shwe Pyi Tha, who had been suffered from the coronavirus impacts.
This project is the immediate response from Helvetas Myanmar. We expected to outreach to 500 people in total during the project duration of two months.
Followings are being described by People In Need
(Original Link - https://www.clovekvtisni.cz/en/helping-workers-affected-by-covid-19-in-myanmar-6759gp?fbclid=IwAR0XYl7njfJjOeg_4Die6VEH_wBDSIzcEX1zRWwPFvqaSv2pc7kcAxw2OHs)
Psychosocial support for 500 families
The program aims to provide psychosocial support to a group of 500 workers and their families in the industrial district of Shwe Pyi Thar Township. These families can access free counselling services by phone six days a week (every day except Wednesday) for several hours in the afternoon and evenings.
The free, confidential psychosocial counselling sessions are provided by eight qualified mental health professionals. Sessions last one hour and can help callers deal with feelings of depression or anxiety. Callers can remain anonymous, and any data given to the counsellors is kept confidential.
Ma Nyein Nyein Ei, Skills and Migration Development Manager from Helvetas Myanmar, explains: “Workers are facing a variety of challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. To help them deal with this situation, they have to be healthy and maintain their mental well-being. They have led difficult lives, and now they can share their feelings with trustworthy counsellors, who can help them deal with stress and relieve some of their worries and concerns.”
Counselling over the phone can also be helpful for those who are self-isolating due to COVID-19. Ko Kyaw Zin, the founder of Call Me Today, says: “If you are coping with stress or pressure, we are here for you. Call any of our mobile numbers (09885362489, 09782383145, 09985055664, or 09685223055) from 1PM to 4PM or 7PM to 10 PM.”
Online support through Facebook
As part of the counselling program, Call Me Today has also launched a private Facebook group with information about social psychology, counselling, and tips for finding mental health support.
Francesco Melara, Consortium Coordinator for PIN Myanmar, says: “Now, more than ever, there is a need to support workers, and this is one of several services that are currently being provided. The ‘Aye Chan Thaw Ein’ Worker Centers in Shwe Pyi Thar Township are also active and playing an important role in providing career services and paralegal support to workers.
