Clients’ perspectives on online counselling in handling suicidal cases in Zimbabwe: A case of Friendship Bench clients. Milton Park Harare
- Author
- Lisah Nyagwande
- Title
- Clients’ perspectives on online counselling in handling suicidal cases in Zimbabwe: A case of Friendship Bench clients. Milton Park Harare
- Abstract
-
ABSTRACT
Online counselling is still a new phenomenon in Zimbabwe and hence associated with a lot of challenges. The study sought to explore the perspectives of clients on online counselling in handling suicidal cases in Zimbabwe, to identify the challenges associated with online counselling in handling suicidal cases in Zimbabwe and to recommend strategies to address the challenges associated with online counselling in handling suicidal cases in Zimbabwe to ensure effective provision of online counselling. The study utilized a qualitative research approach which made use of in depth and key informant interviews as data collection methods. The study found that most of the clients opt for online counselling because of its privacy and anonymity and affordability as compared to traditional face to face counselling. It also identified the lack of technological infrastructure resulting in ineffective intervention for suicidal cases. Network challenges also emerged as a major challenge inhibiting the effective provision of online counselling when handling suicidal cases in Zimbabwe. Flexible provision of counselling services can address the network challenges. The study therefore recommends the development of policies which promote and improve the provision of online counselling when handling suicidal cases in Zimbabwe, awareness campaigns to educate clients about online counselling in handling suicidal cases as this is a new phenomenon in Zimbabwe, the integration of online counselling practice in the training of its service providers such as social workers, counsellors and psychologists. Lastly, the study recommends further researches to be administered to increase the knowledge base on online counselling in Zimbabwe.
- Date
- JUNE 2024
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
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Online counselling
suicidal cases in Zimbabwe
traditional face to face counselling - Supervisor
- NIL
- Item sets
- Department of Social Work
- Media
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Lisah Nyagwande