A counselling organisation says clients with cases of stress, anxiety and depression seeking their services have been on the rise since the 2019 measles outbreak and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Lemau Pala’amo, who is a counsellor as well as Co-founder and President of SoulTalk Samoa, told the Samoa Observer that their organisation has continued to grow since its establishment in 2017.

She said over the last three years their pastoral counseling and social services have been extended to different people and communities in Samoa.

But it has been the 2019 measles outbreak and the 2020 Covid-19 global pandemic that has driven a rise in demand for their services, according to the counsellor.

“Since the measles and Covid-19 pandemic the numbers of our clientbase has doubled due to stress, anxiety, depression,” she said. 

“For example, loss of employment reverts to no income etc.

“The issue people face is often the result of not being able to generate enough income to support their family and children which may lead to violence within the family, theft and other issues.”

Mrs Pala’amo added that since the establishment of SoulTalk Samoa approximately 1000 people – who were facing various mental health issues or wanted basic information normally discussed during sessions – passed through their doors. 

Pastoral counselling is one of the services that they offer which she indicated is done by a church minister and his wife and is framed on the values and understanding of God.

Asked where they hold their therapy sessions, Mrs Pala’amo said it depended on where their client felt safe and comfortable.

“We go where our clients are comfortable and safe. We are lecturers at Malua Theological College,” she added.

Client-centred therapy is another service that SoulTalk Samoa offers which Mrs Pala’amo says focuses on the person and what he or she can achieve, “rather than what other people want.”

As part of the therapy a woman works alongside another woman and man with another man. This strategy can work for married couples according to the counsellor as she says a female counsellor would work with a wife and a male colleague with the husband.

Another approach is va’aalo pastoral counseling or V.P.C. and comprises the different stages of engaging, empowering and exploring.

Mrs Pala’amo said ultimately the goal of their organisation is to try to teach people how to deal with their emotions through the provision of strategies as well as emotional and spiritual support.

“We thank God for the achievements thus far, we have been successful in that we see the difference in our clientele and the way they see life differently,” she said. “The change of mindset does wonders for our people and their families.”

And based on the various sessions the organisation has run, Mrs Pala’amo revealed that female clients appear to find it easier to step forward to seek help compared to men.

There is this mindset among men that they can tackle their own challenges without assistance, which Mrs Pala’amo says is slowly changing as more men acknowledge the benefits of the various counselling therapies offered by entities such as SoulTalk Samoa.

Looking back at how far the organisation has come, the counsellor says there is more awareness and advocacy today on mental health as an illness which can be cured with the right intervention plan. 

She then urged people to collaborate and work in unity in order to help those who suffer from mental health issues.