The founder of Regalo Hope Foundation (RHF), Mrs. Chineye Onuorah, has advocated that guidance and counseling departments should be made active in schools so that students can ‘speak up’ about personal struggles.
In an interview with journalists on Tuesday, Onuorah made this statement in response to the issue of schools lacking operational advice and counseling departments. She requested that subjects should be taught by knowledgeable instructors who were also approachable to the pupils.
Onuora noted that some schools lack a functioning guidance and counseling department and as such, schools should set up spaces where pupils can speak freely. She added that instead of the standard suggestion box, schools can introduce an anonymous box where students are encouraged to write anonymously or share their personal struggles.
She suggested that professional counselors oversee the unit and verify the notes and offer speeches on the subjects brought up in individual counseling.
In a one-on-one conversation with some of the adolescents, Onuorah's charity learned that some of them had suicidal ideas. She added that her foundation had run a campaign against teen suicide.
According to the RFH boss, some of these students had developed low self-esteem because of the way they are spoken to by their teachers. She claimed that as a bridge between the schools and the kids, the NGO started a mentorship club.
She stated further that part of the activities of the NGO was to fill the gap for schools without guidance and counseling departments. The NGO is approached by the schools, and they speak with the students about their concerns.
She claimed that some of the students are dying in silence, searching for a channel or someone to pour their souls out to, which if they don't find, may lead to suicide thoughts.
According to Onuorah, the learning center of the foundation features a section labeled "Ask the Counselor," where students can submit questions from any location. In her word: “We deal with them and, if necessary, recommend people to psychologists”.
