COUNSELLING FAMILIARIZATION TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR OPERATIONS GROUND TRADESMEN
9:18pm on Saturday 27th May 2023
At the request of the Directorate of Ground Operations, the Directorate of Health Services conducted a comprehensive 16-day counselling familiarization programme at SLAF Hospital Katunayake from 10 May to 26 May 2023. The workshop was attended by a group of 24 Senior Non-Commissioned Officers and Junior Non-Commissioned Officers from various establishments of the SLAF, representing the Operations Ground Trade.
The primary objective of this programme was to develop a select group of service personnel who could serve as points of contact for peers when facing challenging situations. They were trained to provide support and guidance in seeking assistance promptly and without delay, thereby addressing various occupational and psychosocial concerns.
The workshop encompassed a wide range of topics, including Introduction to Counselling, Ethics in Counselling, Problem Identification, Interviewing Skills, Understanding Abnormal Behavior, Behavior Modification, and Referral Procedures.
The sessions, comprising both lectures and practical exercises were conducted by experienced SLAF Psychologists, namely Wing Commander Susil Premarathne, Wing Commander KPSS Lakshmi, Wing Commander Chandana Ekanayake, Flight Lieutenant Arosha Rajapakse and Flying Officer Bashini Bandara.
Upon completion of the programme, the participants underwent an assessment process, and those who successfully met the requirements were awarded a certificate acknowledging their completion of the counselling familiarization training.
In the closing remarks, Air Commodore Niluka Abeysekera, the Commanding Officer of SLAF Hospital Katunayake, emphasized the importance of early identification and resolution of concerns to maintain a positive mindset among service personnel. She stressed the need to prevent prolonged unresolved issues from causing psychological distress, advocating for proactive measures to rectify concerns promptly.
The successful completion of this counselling familiarization programme marks a significant step forward in equipping SLAF service personnel with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide crucial support and guidance to their colleagues.
The primary objective of this programme was to develop a select group of service personnel who could serve as points of contact for peers when facing challenging situations. They were trained to provide support and guidance in seeking assistance promptly and without delay, thereby addressing various occupational and psychosocial concerns.
The workshop encompassed a wide range of topics, including Introduction to Counselling, Ethics in Counselling, Problem Identification, Interviewing Skills, Understanding Abnormal Behavior, Behavior Modification, and Referral Procedures.
The sessions, comprising both lectures and practical exercises were conducted by experienced SLAF Psychologists, namely Wing Commander Susil Premarathne, Wing Commander KPSS Lakshmi, Wing Commander Chandana Ekanayake, Flight Lieutenant Arosha Rajapakse and Flying Officer Bashini Bandara.
Upon completion of the programme, the participants underwent an assessment process, and those who successfully met the requirements were awarded a certificate acknowledging their completion of the counselling familiarization training.
In the closing remarks, Air Commodore Niluka Abeysekera, the Commanding Officer of SLAF Hospital Katunayake, emphasized the importance of early identification and resolution of concerns to maintain a positive mindset among service personnel. She stressed the need to prevent prolonged unresolved issues from causing psychological distress, advocating for proactive measures to rectify concerns promptly.
The successful completion of this counselling familiarization programme marks a significant step forward in equipping SLAF service personnel with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide crucial support and guidance to their colleagues.
