KENYA: Nyeri Archdiocese Sets Up Counseling and Support Centre to Address Effects of COVID-19
Most Rev. Anthony Muheria of the Archdiocese of Nyeri
Janet Hinga
The Archdiocese of Nyeri has launched a Christian based counseling and support centre to provide psycho-social support to individuals and families facing difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic period.
The Good Shepherd Call Centre which is a toll-free number that everyone can call or SMS to get support, was launched on Tuesday, April 9 by Nyeri Archbishop Anthony Muheria.
In an interview with The Catholic Media Network, Archbishop Muheria noted that with Government adopting strict measures to counter the spread of COVID-19 including restriction of movement, stress levels among the people have heightened, leading to conflicts within families and affecting marriage as an institution.
“The centre will provide psychological counseling and encouragement, including marriage counseling to direct marital disagreements and other relationship matters and work towards a harmonious solution,” he said.
“It will also provide spiritual support and is intended for any person from any religion or part of the country, who finds himself or herself in a situation of mental stress,” the Archbishop added.
“We have deployed 30 counselors and priests who will be available 24hours to advise and ease the stress,” he said.
The centre is coordinated by Rev. Fr. Stephen Ndung’u, a certified counselor, and is supported by over 10 psychologists who have volunteered to follow up on cases that need specialized attention. Meanwhile, volunteer call centre attendants are undergoing a crash program on psychological counseling skills.
Archbishop Muheria said they have set a criterion for providing support which involves helping the clients to first identify their problem and engaging relevant Government agencies for further management where necessary.
“We connect with the police where necessary,” said Archbishop Muheria adding, “We have so far found that, when people seek advice and help before the situation escalates, we achieve more success. The team has also been engaged in community education through Radio Maria, which airs two weekly programs addressing mental health, and causes of stress.
Recently, the Catholic Bishops in Kenya have expressed concern over reports of increased violence in families and cautioned Kenyans that domestic violence and gender-based violence are not acceptable under any circumstance.
“Problems due to Covid-19 must not bring strife among us, but must be a cause to reason together. Let us make our families the last fortress against Covid-19. The Holy Family of Nazareth is always the model,” the Bishops urged in their statement released on 31st March 2020, titled “overcoming COVID-19 as Kenyans in bearing each other’s burdens.”
Echoing the words of the Bishops’ Conference, Most Rev. Muheria, who is Chairman of the Commission for Pastoral and Lay Apostolate, noted that domestic violence comes where communication breaks down. He urged spouses to practice good parenting since domestic violence also involves children and may be more difficult to identify.
“Violence does not resolve any problem but only serves to escalate it,” he said. “When it is not possible to talk to your spouse, seek help from those who can assist. Marriage is a project that is not easy in itself. People need help, both spiritual and human. And it is not enough to pray. Seek help from those who can help you resolve your misunderstandings or disagreement.”
