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The need for counselling in PNG
By A Special Correspondent
With the fast advance of Westernisation in Papua New Guinea, never
has the need been greater for counselling.
AIDS, alcoholism, smoking, gambling, drug abuse, lack of a healthy
lifestyle, marriage breakdowns, and a whole vicious circle of
related social problems have taken root in modern PNG.
Employees need counselling to become more productive in the
workforce, likewise, those who have been retrenched as they try to
adapt to a new life post-work.
Those who have been involved in major critical accidents such as
conflicts, crime, or aircraft crashes need counselling as they go
through what is known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Many Papua New Guineans in the prime of life - from age 35 to 50 -
are dropping dead because of stress.
And yet, many Papua New Guineans are unaware of the importance of
counselling, saying that it is an unnecessary luxury "bilong
waitman".
This is something that concerns Luke Haun, a senior counsellor
with PNG Counselling and Care, the country's leading private
counselling service.
"One thing we realise in Papua New Guineans is that people cannot
distinguish between a psychological disorder - that is caused by
issues like financial situation within families, alcohol or
drug-related problems, or unstable marriage relationships - and a
medical disorder," he says.
"It's all to do with the feelings and emotions of the person.
"Take, for example, my experience within the mine sites.
"When I go to the mine sites, I do marriage counselling or family
counselling.
"If a child is sick, and the father is working within a mine site,
he is psychologically affected by worries; therefore, he is
stressful within the workplace.
"While he is stressful, his performance is impended within the
workplace, and he can have something like migraine headaches or
pain around his head and back.
"In this situation, it's best to see a counsellor first before you
get any medication.
"Within Papua New Guinea, they cannot distinguish between these
situations (psychological and medical) and they go and see a
medical doctor first.
"A lot of Papua New Guineans die young because they have
psychological problems that are unattended.
"A medical doctor cannot diagnose what is wrong because it's a
psychological situation.
"This is my concern.
"There has to be a lot of awareness to Papua New Guineans about
how to differentiate between psychological disorders and medical
disorders, and how a psychological disorder can advance into a
medical situation."
HIV/AIDS counselling, or the lack of it, is something that Haun
also points out.
"Are we attending to the psychological problems of the person
affected by the virus?
"That's why many HIV/AIDS victims die young: because of their low
self-esteem, 'I am an outcast'.
"How much are we doing to encourage responsible sexual behaviour?
"Sex is very much an act that spreads HIV/AIDS.
"It comes back to responsible sexual behaviour.
"I believe that the more we provide counselling, the more it will
help the fight against HIV/AIDS."
Haun says a lot of work-related stress is caused by problems
within the family such as a sick child, or no money for school
fees.
This causes a vicious circle of drinking, gambling, drug abuse,
womanising, debt, poverty HIV/AIDS, and eventual death.
"Counselling is helping people and giving them information that is
relevant to their situation," Haun adds.
"Counselling can actually provide information and awareness to the
person concerned, because in counselling, you are dealing with a
person who comes for counselling.
"The counsellor will provide counselling if he (patient) comes.
"Your life is your life and how you live it is your decision.
"A counsellor can only offer suggestions and options for the
person to consider, but the person himself has to make the
decision.
"A counsellor is not a problem-solver."
Haun is disappointed that the human resource departments of many
large government departments, companies, and statutory
organisations fail to realise the importance of counselling for
their employees.
"The HR managers are indirectly saying that they are not
interested in helping their employees.
"This (counselling) is a very important thing for them to
consider.
"In fact, the companies that are referring their employees to us
are mainly mining companies.
"After receiving counselling, they give 101 per cent because they
appreciate their employer referring them for counselling."
Haun is a busy man as PNG Counselling and Care attends to clinical
counselling services, telephone counselling, local employee
assistance programs, workplace awareness programs, counsellor
training programs, school programs, public awareness programs, and
consultancy services.
He constantly travels around the country as the company services
corporate clients such as Porgera Joint Venture, Westpac, Air
Niugini, SP Brewery, Post PNG, Bank South Pacific, Mirupasi
Lawyers, Coral Sea Hotels (Ela Beach Hotel), Kumul Hotels (Crowne
Plaza), Starwest Constructions Tabubil, and Good Fielder
International.
He has an impressive track record of providing counselling support
for major critical incidents such as armed hold-ups, shootings and
killings, hijackings, rape, natural disasters, airline crashes,
and helicopter crashes.
"A lot of confidentiality is involved," Haun stresses.
"This is very important because you are dealing with someone's
private life."
He is a specialist in workplace counselling, critical incident
debriefing and health counselling.
Before joining PNG Counselling and Care in 2003, Haun worked as a
counsellor with the Catholic Health Service in the Highlands.
He holds a Diploma in Religious Studies from the Bomana Seminary,
and an Advanced Certificate in Counselling and Counselling
Education from the Christian Institute of Counselling.
The Bouganvillean has had wide experience in personal,
relationship and health counselling in PNG plus training
attachments in the Philippines.
Haun has two University of PNG psychology graduates under his
wings, and company director Aaron Hayes is also a qualified
psychologist.
The company also draws on the services of casual counsellors where
and when needed.
PNG Counselling and Care is a secular, professional counselling
service provider, which seeks to provide effective counselling
interventions in a supportive, non-judgemental environment.
While non-religious in approach, it encourages its clients to draw
strength from their individual faiths and belief systems.
PNG Counselling and Care conducts its practice in accordance with
the Code of Ethics of the Australian Psychological Society.
-PNG Counselling and Care can be
contacted on telephones (675) 3254866 or (675) 3253043, or email
pngcc@online.net.pg.
 
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