Empower Pacific has seen an increase in calls per day with people engaging its counselling support for stress, anxiety and financial hardships because of COVID-19, says Empower Pacific CEO Patrick Morgam.
Responding to queries from The Fiji Times.
Mr Morgam said requests were received from all divisions in the country including the maritime islands.
He said there was a definite increase in calls and those calling in were concerned parents for child protection, gender-based violence victims and the public who sought support for issues faced during these troublesome times.
“It is established that we receive 30-40 calls per day,” he said.
“The issues that most frequent callers face and call in needing counselling support is anxiety, stress, financial hardships due to COVID-19 and basically being worried about their survival in everyday life as they have children and disabled family members that need their holistic wellbeing to be taken care of as well.”
He also said parents sought help out of concern for their children’s safety. Victims of abuse opted to access their services as they were referred to a counselor in a timely manner and their issues dealt with accordingly. People were also reaching out for parents in need of essentials for infants.
“There have also been calls from individuals in home isolation in need of essentials such as food assistance, baby milk formula, Rewa milk powder and diapers for their children. People are struggling one way or another during these troublesome times and it is through our helpline that individuals are able to reach out and have the holistic services rendered to them.”
