2003

23rd January 2003
Centacare Newcastle to Provide Free Counselling to Drought-Affected Local Communities
Centacare Newcastle is pleased to announce that it has received funding from the Department of Family and Community Services to provide counselling to local rural communities affected by drought.

As the official welfare agency of the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle with over 40 years of counselling experience, Centacare Newcastle offers counselling to adults, couples, families and children in the Newcastle, Hunter and Manning areas.

According to Ms Colleen Wilson, Manager of Centacare Newcastle's Counselling and Therapy Service, "it is well known that the impacts of a long and severe drought can cause psychological as well as financial hardship to individuals, couples, families and rural communities. The psychological distress that a person might experience in times of drought could cause him or her to feel depressed, anxious, angry, inadequate, fearful and unable to cope. Farmers might blame themselves and feel that they should be better able to manage things."

"The drought means that farmers and their families have to confront huge questions about their employment and their long term future on the land and so it affects their identity and sense of self. It is not surprising that people are deeply affected by the drought which can force some or all of these issues to the surface," Ms Wilson explains.

Centacare's counsellors can provide support to individuals, couples, families and children experiencing emotional or psychological difficulties due to the impact of the drought. Its counsellors are trained and experienced psychologists and social workers who are certified to practise by the NSW Psychologists Registration Board or the Australian Association of Social Workers. They are required to adhere to the ethics and Code of Conduct relevant to their profession.

Ms Wilson says that common problems people bring to counselling include: personal distress, relationship difficulties, separation and divorce issues, grief and loss, planning life goals, excessive anxiety, depression, problems with children, substance abuse and difficulties coping with anger.

Free counselling is available to individuals, couples and families in Dungog, Maitland, Murrurundi, Muswellbrook, Scone, Singleton, Gloucester, Great Lakes, Taree and surrounding areas.

While the emotional and psychological impacts of drought are very significant, Ms Wilson believes that counselling can help people to cope with the disempowering effects of the drought. "The drought has the potential to bring about personal change and growth for individuals, couples and families. It can provide people with the opportunity to think about their priorities, to question their practices and to focus their time and energy in some new initiatives".

Centacare Newcastle provides counselling services in the following locations:

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