‘Counselling should be recognised as a profession’

Ministry of Health has said counselling should be recognised as a profession in the country because it plays a crucial role in reducing psychosocial, emotional, mental and spiritual related challenges in society.

Speaking during the opening of the Malawi Association of Counsellors National Conference in Lilongwe, Chief of Health Services Charles Mwansambo said recognising counsellors as professionals will give them confidence in discharging their duties.

Said Mwansambo: “It is urgent that counselling be recognised as a profession because professionally trained psychosocial counsellors and psychotherapists can go a long way in mitigating the impact of psychosocial challenges in Malawi.”

Main speaker at the event, psychologist  Chioza Bandawe, said the need for psychologists  cannot be overemphasised.

Said Bandawe: “Everyday, people in Malawi face various challenges. I am recommending that psychologists must also be dispatched to help people in disaster hit areas psychologically.”

Interim chairperson of the Malawi Association of Counselors Dominic Nsona said his body will help to regulate provision of counselling services in the country along the lines of other bodies such as the Nurses association.