Canterbury Youth Services (CYS) is committed to the wellbeing of the 33,000 teenagers affected by the recent earthquakes in Canterbury.
In response to the earthquakes, CYS identified a need across their wide network of youth services in Christchurch for a qualified counsellor to work with young people coping with grief and many upheavals.
Counselling has helped those who are adjusting to living in the “red zone” and facing anxious situations, for example when entering multi-level buildings or covered car parks.
The Tindall Foundation provided funding for Karen Hanafin to be based at CYS to help clients with strategies to deal with these issues, build resiliency and manage the many changes they face.
From April to September 2011, the counsellor provided 324 hours of counselling for 34 young people, 20 family members and 32 youth workers.
“This is a long road back to normality and the impact of past earthquakes and fears of another in the future have taken a huge toll on the wellbeing of our young people in this city,” said Tessa Dodge, CYS Office Manager.
CYS has reported some positive outcomes from counselling. One young person had been in a major collapsing building and presented for counselling in a traumatised state. The counsellor helped her to make such progress that she has since secured a good job.
For more information contact: Tessa Dodge, Office Manager, Canterbury Youth Services
Email: tessa@cys.org.nz
Website: www.cys.org.nz