Experience Sharing and Learning from Adolescents Development Programmes

Youth Helpline-Rozan

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Voices of Young People

“Please continue doing the radio programs. While I can not call you from my home…my cousins and I listen to your programs and learn a lot from them”

A 14 year old girl from Swabi

“I thank the Youth Helpline for building my confidence and helping me deal with my feelings at a time where there was so much confusion. I now work in an NGO…..and am the first girl to venture out……”

a 22 year old girl

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Voices of Young people

“Life lost its purpose, when I was raped. The Helpline encouraged me to share my feelings…understand what happened…and begin the healing”

A 16 year-old rape survivor

“other boys made fun of my confusions about bodily changes. I have learnt how to deal with them”

A 14 year old boy

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Introduction of Adolescents Programme

Initiated in 2001 from experiences of the Rozan’s children program on “Child Sexual Abuse”

The program offers: Psychological Counseling Information ReferralsOthers: Trainings and capacity building Awareness Raising Life skills groups with young men & now with young

women

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Introduction of Adolescents Programme

Timings:10:00am to 8:00pm seven days a week

Counsellor’s Profile: 6 Counselors (Male & Female) on rotational basis

Support of 4-5 volunteer counselors

(Psychologists, medical doctor)

Coverage area: NWFP, Northern areas, parts of Punjab.

35% of Pakistan

Toll free access from area codes 05 and 09

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Statistics

Adolescents and Youth between 10-25 years of age

Youngest caller: 9 years

Oldest caller: 50 years

YHL has received 41,109 calls since 2001 out of which 22,994 were counselling calls.

44% of the calls were from females while 56% were from males.

In 2006-2007, there were 9998 counselling calls….417 calls a months…..104 calls a week

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Methodology

Counsellors are trained to be non-judgmental, open and sensitive.

The approach is to empower young people to make “informed choices”

A caller may call just once, may call twice or 20 times or more.

A call may last from 5 minutes to 60 minutes

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Methodology

Issues addressed

Reproductive physiology/pathology Psychosexual and psychosocial issues Psychological concerns Academics and career Miscellaneous

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Outcomes

87% callers calling twice or thrice rated the ability of the Helpline to provide them information about their issues at 1. (very good), while 50% calling the helpline 4-5 times rated the service as (very good), in its ability to help them develop insight into their issues.

Innovative tools of promotion e.g. billboards, Long Distance volunteer program, cable slides, brochures, radio, articles etc.

Radio as a tool of promotion (48% of callers). Rights-based, nonjudgmental, confidential service.

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Outcomes

Callers becomes volunteers

Successful in addressing controversial issues by taking a Psychological/Human rights take on controversial issues.

Callers referring their friends to avail the service (27% of callers).

Ability to sustain a caller rate of 104 counseling calls per week.

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Lessons Learned

Involve young people in the program for feedback, in developing and carrying out interventions.

Importance of efficient and sensitive referral services: Some young people with severe issues require in-person help or intervention by the family.

Promotion has to be sensitive and appropriate

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Recommendations

Interventions and programs for parents

Rights based approach vs. addressing young people as problems

Importance of being non-judgemental

Holistic approach towards SRH (inclusion of HIV/AIDs, emotions, gender)

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Recommendations

Material must be distributed through other partner organizations

Ensuring quality vs. quantity by ensuring continued training of counsellors/addressing personal blocks

Long term work vs. one off projects