In response to the coronavirus crisis, CatholicCare is offering video-based parenting groups, Family Dispute Resolution and phone and video-based counselling for families, couples and individuals.
“We recognise that many families are under more intense pressure due to the coronavirus. Help is only a phone call or videoconference away,” CatholicCare Sandhurst director Rhonda Lawson-Street said.
“People are already appreciating greater access to these services, such as our parenting groups which previously could only visit remote areas annually.”
The extra pressure on families has caused increased demand for several CatholicCare’s services.
“We have had many calls to our Family Dispute Resolution service from parents concerned about maintaining contact with their children and an increase in referrals for clients experiencing mental illness and family violence,” Rhonda said.
Financial counselling also started this year, which has received a strong response.
“It could not have come at a better time. There was already a shortage of financial counsellors across our region and demand has only increased since the crisis hit,” Rhonda said.
Dr Andrew Kis-Rigo has worked across Echuca, Bendigo and Shepparton and recommends people unsure of seeking help to reach out to CatholicCare’s counselling services.
“I’ve recommended CatholicCare to people hesitant to seek help for some time. Talking to a counsellor can make an extraordinary difference to your mental health and wellbeing,” he said.
“CatholicCare’s services are high quality and very affordable, at this time, entirely free.”
CatholicCare’s services include:
● counselling for families, children, couples, individuals;
● Family Dispute Resolution and mediation;
● parenting education and support;
● post-separation co-operative parenting;
● financial counselling; and
● ParentNext, a program helping young parents return to the workforce.
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