Piloting a Peer Support Mechanism for Counsellors in Sri Lanka Focusing on the State Sectors for Social Services Women and Child Affairs

The Asia Foundation has adopted a psychosocial approach to its development work since 2005, particularly in relation to the Reducing the Effects and Incidences of Trauma project and the Victims of Trauma Treatment Program. The Foundation has found that psychosocial approaches to healing and improving well-being are effective in strengthening existing coping mechanisms that enable individuals, families, and communities to get on with their lives. The Foundation’s work in mental health and psychosocial support programming began with the nongovernmental sector and currently is a collaboration between the nongovernmental sector and state mental health and psychosocial support sectors including the Ministry of Social Empowerment and Welfare, and the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs. Working with partners in the non-governmental sector, the use and usefulness of clinical supervision was identified for improving self-care options for the counsellor as well as improving service provision to the client. This publication is a reflection on the peer support model introduced by the Foundation to the Ministries of Social Empowerment and Welfare and the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.