The answer to this is both – Yes and No. Because most people in the world at some time or the other may require counselling whilst the remaining few may not. Let’s find out why.
If, at any point of time, a group of young people are asked if they needed counselling, there would be a mixed response. While some of them may claim to be happy with their lives and at no point of time felt the need for counselling, others may say they need professional help because they have been bothered by their relationships, stress at work, and anxiety over their growth in the industry, some incident in the past or someone they are unable to forgive.
Among the people who did not feel a need for counselling- some might say they are mentally tough and always know the solutions to their problems and are ready to face up to the situations themselves. Others might say they have adequate social support that is ready to stand by them in times of need. This interaction shows that not everyone needs counselling: but when you study the lives of people, who called themselves `tough ones’, it becomes evident: they too have been tested by adversities and broken down unable to bear the onslaught. It is in these times that problems appear insurmountable and big, and then the situation pulls them down making them victims of mental distress. That leaves us with a handful of virtually tough people who would stand up to any situation and come out unscathed. They would proudly endorse the statement – ` tough times don’t last only tough ones do.’
So with this, we can say confidently that most people on earth barring a few need counselling at some of time or the other. By saying, ‘we would need counselling in the future,’ are we being pessimistic hoping that we would be engulfed with problems? No, definitely not! We are only gearing up to meet the demanding situations. “Man is complex – so are his problems.’ – It is when we are faced with tough situations the problem appears so big that it appears like a mountain above us. In these times we are clouded with negativity and are unable to take decisions of our own. In these times ‘counselling’ is the only option available.
Though the term `counseling’ is relatively new in India, it has been practiced since ages: have we not heard of the village panchayat, a herdsman, an elderly man in the village, the local postman, village doctor, the priest, the school master, or a shop keeper perform this role in their own way. All that they did was give an active listening to people’s woes. These lay counselors are all around us if we care to look for them. It could be your neighbour, an elderly family member, a class mate or even a colleague at the work place. What are the qualities they posses that make people throng around them to pour out their woes? These people essentially have the following qualities: –
1. They care for people.
2. They are good listeners.
3. They are non-judgemental.
4. They refrain from giving quick-fix solutions.
5. They are empathetic.
6. They have genuine concern.
Though such a system is still in force in rural India, the urban population has its reservations in expressing their problems. In spite of the availability of these `lay counselors’ around them they do not want to `share their feelings’ with others owing to reasons of confidentiality, trust, problems being too personal in nature, personal ego, hesitancy to expose their emotions etc. It is then appropriate for them to seek the services of a counselor. The services of `Counselors and `psychotherapists’ is a big boon to the mental health services because not everyone suffering from some minor mental distress require medication: more often than not in most of the situations a solution is [resolve or cope up] is found at the counseling stage itself, thereby preventing a serious illness that would require medication in the future. Besides, the number of `psychiatrists’ available in India is far too less to cater to the psychological concerns of a sizeable population of the country. With these reasons I would say Counseling is an absolute necessity for mental health and is here to stay.