Emotional support over the telephone

Wednesday May 28, 2008

Seeking volunteers

FOR Befrienders, the telephone line is a lifeline. The voluntary organisation, which is currently looking for new volunteeers, is centred on suicide prevention and providing emotional support over the telephone for those facing difficulties in life.

"We're here for people who feel they want to talk to someone rather than seek professional help. We offer non-judgemental confidential support to callers who often feel they have no one else to talk to," said Befrienders Penang chairman S. Saras Pillay in an interview at the organisation's centre in Batu Lanchang, Penang.

She added that the centre, which now had some 50 volunteers, received 500 to 600 calls every month.

"We get calls from people wanting to talk about many different issues, ranging from various relationship problems to job related, interpersonal and financial problems," she said.

As a result of the complex and various problems disclosed, volunteers had to be equipped with proper training to handle the situations.

Training director and vice-chairman Philip Saw, who has been volunteering at the organisation for 19 years, said Befrienders Penang was in need of more volunteers to sustain and extend its operations hours.

"The ultimate goal is to have the call service running 24 hours a day, but we're a long way from that. Currently, our service runs from 3pm to midnight on weekdays and 5pm to 11pm on weekends.

"We recruit new volunteers twice a year and the next training session is scheduled from June 10 to July 18 at the Penang Cheshire Home," Saw said.

He added that Befrienders was looking for caring, concerned individuals over 21 years old who were able to volunteer three hours a week to be on duty at the call centre.

"The training is broken up into 12 sessions with three-hour sessions every Tuesday and Friday night for six weeks.

"During the training, we instruct the participants on how to handle and respond to different types of situations, the tone of voice and choice of words needed, as well as the skills involved in listening," said Saw.

He said RM60 would be charged for the whole duration of training to cover stationery, refreshments and administrative costs.

Although the training is extensive and making time is a sacrifice, both veteran Befrienders believe the rewards are well worth it.

"For some callers, it is a split second decision to live or die. When you are able to give someone the emotional support to get over that rough patch, there is a great sense of personal accomplishment," said Saw.

"We become better people when we reach out to others. In helping others, we really do help ourselves," Saras Pillay added.

The Befrienders hotlines are 04-2815161 and 04-2811108. More information about services and training can be found at http://www .befpen.org or by emailing pat@befpen.org.