An north-east mental health charity has warned vulnerable youngsters are being put at risk due to a “chronic shortage” of trained youth counsellors and a rising tide of clients seeking help.
Mental Health Aberdeen (MHA) is running an intensive three-year training programme in an attempt to tackle the issue.
Training is offered free of charge to those who can commit to seeing a minimum of two clients per week.
Alan McTamney, youth manager at the charity, said: “There is a real lack in the north-east of qualified counsellors who can work safely and competently with children and young people. We are currently experiencing strong demand for our youth counselling service and all indicators suggest this will continue to increase in the future.
“A young person has already crossed a significant barrier if they have asked us for support and we want to ensure that we are in a position where we can offer help.
“The training provides trainees with substantial theoretical insights, encouraging reflective practice and the opportunity to work as an ACIS Youth counsellor in both a community and school settings.”
For further information or an application pack contact Alan McTamney on 01224 573892 or acisyouth.manager@mhaberdeen.org.uk. The deadline for applications is June 19.