Since the launch of the e-counselling service a few months ago, seeking counselling has become easier for students. However, when it comes to emotional connectivity and understanding non-verbal cues, it remains a challenge for both counsellors and students. The e-counselling platform is available from ‘Sherig Counselling Services’ Facebook page and the Ministry of Education and Skills Development’s website.
Since the launch of the platform, some students availed themselves of the service.
An individual has to register and fill out a form. The counsellors are then notified about the client’s location and the counsellor on duty will have to attend it.
This platform has encouraged some students to share about their mental health and personal matters.
BBS talked to some schools in Thimphu and students said they feel comfortable sharing it online with the counsellors.
“I use e-counseling as it is safe and my friends do not ask me about it. If I seek face-to-face counselling, my friends will see me going to the counselling room and they ask me about my problems, which I am hesitant to share,” said a student.
‘‘It is convenient both for the counsellor and the students. Not only the students but other people can avail themselves of the service when they need counselling. Additionally, when our students come for face–to–face counselling, there is a stereotype and they are hesitant to seek the service. However, e-counselling can hide the client’s identity,” said Karma Tenzin, the counsellor of Zilukha MSS.
But for a few counsellors, they are not able to understand their client’s expression and severity of the issue as the counselling is provided online.
A counsellor from Loselling Middle Secondary School in Thimphu said they can understand the problems better when they provide face-to-face counselling.
‘‘I think that as a counsellor, it would be quite difficult for me to take into consideration their feelings and their expression because it is very important to know non-verbal expressions when we take the sessions,” said Karma Yangdon, the counsellor.
“I feel that face-to-face counselling is more convenient for me. I can share all my problems with the counsellors. As the counsellor is there with me, I feel heard and listened to. When it comes to e-counselling since we have to share the problems online, I do not know how to go forth and write my problems,” said a student.
Similarly, the officials from the Career Education and Counselling Division said the counsellors are facing other challenges due to e-counselling such as clients not responding to the calls.
‘‘Individuals actually register online and when the counsellors respond to them, it is the service seekers, who do not respond to the counsellor’s calls and text messages. Sometimes they also register late at night and then sometimes it is very difficult for the counselors to respond late at night. Given the nature of the job in the school, they also have to teach career guidance and counselling classes,” said Reena Thapa, Chief Programme Officer of the Career Education and Counselling Division.
Although the e-counselling platform has some drawbacks, the Ministry of Education and Skills Development continues to create awareness urging the people to use the platform.
Sonam Yuden
Edited by Tshering Zam
