Counseling
The Counseling department from Un Jour Nouveau provides psychological care to help people recover from trauma and find healing.
ABOUT COUNSELING
For over twenty years, the Eastern DR Congo has been plagued with numerous wars, sexual violence, disease and natural disasters. These all negatively impact the mental health of the people. It can create a feeling of helplessness where the population is unable to see past their own problems to look for solutions to the problems that exist around them.
UJN’s Counseling department provides individual counseling, group counseling and trauma recovery sessions to youth and adults to provide them with the support to cope and heal from mental health traumas.
Our support weaves through every department at UJN as we counsel women through the Women of Congo program, men through the Sons of Congo program, students in our Primary School and youth in our Generation Hope program. We have also provided trauma counseling to outside organizations and, in order to reach more people, have produced counseling programs for radio.
SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION
The Counseling department uses the Christian approach for trauma counseling.
Christian counseling, also known as biblical counseling and Christian psychology, combines faith with the principles of psychology to improve mental health and relationships. This therapy approach uses scripture and biblical teachings to help clients deal with life’s challenges.
When someone is in the midst of troubling life events – death, abuse, declining health, financial problems, relationship issues etc. – a strong and resilient faith can be what is missing from one’s life.
Christian counseling focuses on spiritual health, a personal relationship with God and the belief that, with therapy, personal problems, mental health issues and emotional distress can be replaced with increased self-worth, as well as spiritual and mental fulfillment.
IMPACT
Women, men and children are empowered to live peaceful lives and are safeguarded from the long-term mental and physical diseases that can come from chronic stress and emotional trauma:
Conquering marital problems
Coping with parental challenges
Supporting mental health conditions
Recovering from grief & loss
Healing from addiction
Strengthening one’s faith in God
INFLUENCE
4,941 people have benefited from counseling and psychological care through 2020
37 percent of those who have benefited are women
Trained 33 volunteer Psychosocial Assistants who work with the Counseling Department
Students from seven schools, located in Butembo and Beni, received counseling sessions to help them improve their school results
Group counseling of hundreds for PTSD after the 2021 volcanic eruption
$30,000 annual budget
TESTIMONIALS
“I am a widow and I have four children. During Mount Nyiragongo’s eruption, we lost our house in the fire and the farmland that allowed us to live and pay for the children’s school fees. This caused psychological trauma in my life. I was in deep anguish and I was deprived of sleep and food for two weeks. My blood pressure shot up and I became vulnerable to many sicknesses.
After Un Jour Nouveau’s humanitarian assistance during which they had a counseling session, I requested an individual counseling session with the psychologist since I was in a critical situation.
I am now able to eat and sleep without any problem...I have accepted what happened and I have resolved to move forward and work to rebuild my life. My children and I are doing well and we are grateful to Un Jour Nouveau for everything. I am grateful for the psychologist who made time for me and effectively counseled me. May the God you serve richly repay you.”
— Janette Kahindo
“My children and I say thank you to Africa New Day for love and assistance. Since my husband’s death we were virtually abandoned – no organization, no person has come to assist us...May the Most High bless you all!”
— Alice Masukula, 37-year-old widow and mother of three children
FREQUENTLY ASKED COUNSELING QUESTIONS
Does Un Jour Nouveau operate a Psychiatrist Center to effectively help beneficiaries who are in need? +
While we do not operate a center per se, we do offer our counseling services to all who participate in our programs.
Are the counseling services offered to those not in a Un Jour Nouveau program? +
Yes, we have been hired by a wide range of organizations to help employees who have experienced trauma. One such organization was the Virunga Park Rangers who hired UJN Counseling after many of them were killed by poachers.
What is the best attitude to adopt when one is traumatized? +
To realize that you are not alone and that there are people who want to walk with you through your trauma to freedom.
Is it possible for a person with psychological trauma to recover and live a normal life? +
Yes, it is. With healthy coping tools to self-manage and community networks to lean on, one can recover and begin the journey to a healthier and happier life. Having a relationship with Jesus Christ is the foundation to freedom from all of life’s challenges and where true peace is found.
Why doesn’t UJN’s counseling Department expand its activities in other provinces? +
The need exists but we must to grow incrementally as funds become available.