A high school teacher struggled with sleepless nights and maintaining a focus on her teaching career. She experienced anxiety attacks and high levels of stress, primarily due to the demanding environment in the classroom.
Seeking help, she visited a sub-divisional hospital where a doctor referred her to Empower Pacific for counseling assistance. This referral was part of a long-term partnership that Empower Pacific has with the Ministry of Health & Medical Services aimed at providing holistic care for mental health and psychosocial well-being.
Following the doctor’s referral, the teacher met with Marica Siliwaqa, a counselor from Empower Pacific. During their sessions, it was revealed that the teacher’s workload had increased significantly after a co-teacher was transferred to another school. This left her responsible for teaching two classes, causing immense stress and frequent headaches, which further led to insomnia.
Despite having support from other teachers, the teacher still found her work overwhelming. Ms. Siliwaqa worked with her to transform negative thoughts into positive ones and taught her relaxation techniques to manage anxiety. She also encouraged the teacher to use positive coping mechanisms to maintain a calm state of mind.
Ms. Siliwaqa helped the teacher tap into her strengths and identify necessary changes in her life to better handle her workload. The teacher raised the issue of her workload with the school head, as advised.
In a follow-up after a few weeks, Ms. Siliwaqa observed a significant positive change in the teacher’s demeanor. The teacher confirmed that she was now able to sleep peacefully and focus on her teaching career with a positive mindset. She expressed gratitude for the support and acknowledged that she was enjoying her work once again.
Empower Pacific, an NGO, provides counseling and social support to individuals facing mental health challenges. The organization works in partnership with government hospitals, where doctors also refer patients in need of mental health assistance.
According to the World Health Organization, decent work is beneficial for mental health, but poor working conditions can pose significant risks. It’s estimated that 15% of working-age adults had a mental disorder in 2019, with depression and anxiety leading to a loss of approximately 12 billion working days annually at a cost of $1 trillion in lost productivity.
Empower Pacific continues to offer its services through a 24/7 toll-free counseling helpline, supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade, as well as in-person consultations and referrals.