More than 1,100 calls were received by the 1410 line for the year 2021, the last year it appears to have been in operation, the majority from adults over 36 , with the main topics being about stress, managing other negative emotions such as sadness and frustration, in conjunction with Covid-19.
These figures were announced by the Ministry of Education, in response to a question received from AKEL MP and party press representative, Giorgos Koukoumas, in which he requested information on line 1410 and the “Proposal” program, as well as on the programs it implements the Ministry, to support children who face difficulties.
The Minister of Education, Athina Michailidou, called to give answers about the actions of the Cyprus Youth Organization, which was responsible for the number 1410 and for the “Proposal” program, initially indicated that the purpose of the organization is to contribute to the formulation of youth policies , which will focus on modern challenges, while another role of ONEK is the empowerment of young people and the development of their skills. To this end, as explained by Ms. Michailidou, ONEK conducts surveys and consultations with young people, to listen to their concerns.
Regarding the 1410 line, which has been operating since 1990, according to recorded data, it handled an average of 1,000 calls a year, mainly from young people up to 35 years of age, with stress management as the main topic. As for the last year the line ran, in 2021, which was in the middle of a pandemic, it received a total of 1,136 calls (1,120 by phone and 16 online). In terms of age, the majority of calls (more than 50%) came from adults over 36, followed closely by young people aged 26-35. The main topics concerned stress, managing other negative emotions (sadness, frustration, etc.) in combination with COVlD-19, difficulties in relationships, symptoms of mental illness, but also self-confidence and self-image of young people.
As for the “Proposal” program, each year, counseling services served approximately 100 people, most of whom were women, and the focus was on stress management. In 2021, a total of 130 people were served, with 79.2% of the people being women. Over 985 meetings were held during the year, of which 63 were online.
In detail, the meetings took place with a ratio of: 90% Individual, 4.6% Couples, 4.6% Family Meetings (with the participation of parents and children) and 1.3% a combination of the above. The management of stress was the main request, while the second most frequent requests were the management of other negative emotions, such as sadness and frustration, and personal empowerment. Relationship problems (romantic, companionship) are presented as the third most frequent request. The percentage of teenagers aged 15 to 18 reached 139%.
In addition, ONEK also ran the “Little Bear” program, in which around 300-400 people participated in the psychoeducational groups and around 700 in the experiential workshops. In 2021, 27 psychoeducational groups were held, in which a total of 405 people participated. Regarding the piecemeal experiential workshops, a total of 17 were implemented and a total of 683 people participated. The most requested topics were about managing stress and other negative emotions, but also communication skills, self-esteem and confidence, and job burnout.
The reason the programs stopped
Athena Michailidou, in her answer, indicated that around the end of 2021, ONEK conducted a scientific evaluation of the Psychosocial Empowerment programs and assigned it to an independent expert. This expert, who is a PhD in Psychiatry from the University of Birmingham, UK and has worked as a researcher in mental health hospitals and trained by members of the World Health Organization in mental health research and policy, studied in detail the services offered by ONEK, among them Line 1410 and proceeded to make a recommendation to the Board of Directors to upgrade the services.
During the expert's evaluation, which was based, as the Minister of Education explained, on data and statistics applicable in Europe and Cyprus in matters of mental health, interviews were conducted with the staff and contractors of the Programs. In collaboration with the staff and the contractors, the effectiveness and efficiency of the Programs were evaluated and finally a specific restructuring plan was proposed.
“According to the statistical analysis of the data, several factors emerged that negatively affected the operation of the programs. One of the most important factors was the non-application of the Personal Data Protection Code to the programs' procedures. Another important factor was the way Contractors were recruited, which resulted in frequent reshuffles and changes in manpower. Also, the absence of clinical supervision led to the acceptance of requests that did not fall under the scope of the programs, thus putting at risk both the user of the services and those involved in the administration and management of ONEK. It is noted that we cannot cite confidential or other personal information , but the relevant data of the study is attached”.
The Minister of Education noted that at this moment, ONEK, after consultations with the Ministry of Education and the University of Cyprus, proceeded to plan a completely new program of psychosocial empowerment, which concerns high school students, teachers, parents as well as the community, with the aim of prevention of bullying in schools. The program in question is called “Standing Together” and includes a set of scientifically documented prevention actions related to bullying, as it manifests itself in the entire school unit. The first pillar of the project concerns a package of actions for the entire school unit (Secondary Education – High Schools). The second pillar concerns the community. The program offers psychoeducation for parents and young people in collaboration with the Youth Organization Polycentres throughout Cyprus. These actions are aimed at raising awareness and a more effective understanding of the phenomenon and effects of bullying with the aim of prevention.
The minister noted that ONEK, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, is implementing the “I know what I'm asking for” program from 2023 in six high schools across Cyprus, targeting 12- to 14-year-old children, with the use of experiential workshops where everyone's participation is encouraged, the expression of opinions, participation and training in social skills, as well as valid information and knowledge on various issues that concern young people today. The aim of the program is to strengthen the mental resilience of the participants, to strengthen life skills (critical thinking, decision-making, problem solving, creative thinking, effective communication, interpersonal skills, self-awareness, empathy, emotion management), but also to develop supportive network.
Regarding line 1410, Ms. Michailidou noted that ONEK is in intensive processes for the re-operation of the Line in a new context, based on the results of the aforementioned investigation. The Line will reopen within 2024 on the basis of European and international standards that will limit hazards and risks and ensure the provision of quality services to youth.
YAPAN programs to support children facing difficulties
Regarding the programs of the Ministry of Education, which aim to support children facing difficulties, the Minister of Education stated in her answer that the Ministry develops and implements various programs related to the mental empowerment and counseling support of young people. Specifically, the programs are developed by the Counseling and Vocational Education Service (YSEA) and the Health and Citizenship Education Committee (EAYP) of the Ministry of Education.
He explained that the YSEA, as part of its duties, staffs the Office of Counseling and Vocational Education in Secondary Education schools with teachers. The SEA Professors have as their main axes of work a) the provision of Counseling Vocational Education aimed at personal development and the acquisition of career skills and b) the provision of Personal Counseling aimed at the psycho-emotional development of young people and their support to deal with personal, family and other issues that may concern them.
The SEA teachers, noted Ms. Michailidou, they also collaborate with other specialized Services [Educational Psychology Service (YEPS), Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (YPSYPE), Social Welfare Services (YKE)], to which he/she refers the students, when necessary. At the same time, they implement programs in schools that aim at the mental empowerment of students, depending on the needs of each school. Specifically, the following programs are applied:
– Strengthening Program. The “Empowerment” program (SAP) aims to empower and support students and parents/guardians. It is implemented by Y.S.E.A., through the Teachers in Secondary Education, since 2015. The Empowerment Groups (students, educational staff, parents/guardians) have, among others, the following general objectives:
- Creating a safe environment in which participants will share feelings, thoughts and concerns
- Training participants to recognize and express their emotions in a healthy way
- Developing communication skills
- The development of behaviors that will be characterized by self-respect, as well as respect for others.
– Interdepartmental Smooth Transition Program from Elementary to High School. The “Smooth Transition from Primary to High School” program is part of the broader effort of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth and the Counseling and Vocational Education Service to help primary school children familiarize themselves early with the high school environment, but also to prepare the High School for their reception. This is an Intervention Program, which aims to inform and prepare students for High School, covering both the learning and the emotional part of the transition.
In addition to this, as mentioned by the Minister of Education, the Health and Citizenship Education Committee (EAYP) implements selective/focused interventions, which are aimed at targeted groups of vulnerable children, including school and family interventions, such as:
– The “Web” Program, which concerns cases of middle school and high school children who face serious difficulties, possibly related to the use of addictive substances, as well as problems in the cooperation of the family with the school.
– The ESPERIDES Preventive Program, which aims at Psychological, Social and Educational Support for vulnerable students attending Evening High Schools and Evening Technical Schools.
– The Preventive Program implemented in four schools of the Preparatory Apprenticeship pan-Cypriot and personalized multi-level support to students and members of their families. (The three aforementioned programs are implemented in collaboration with the Cyprus Addictions Authority).
– The Health Education Student Seminars, organized by the Biology Inspectorate, for male and female students 2nd year of high school, who are in a difficult phase of their lives.
– The action to supply free sports equipment to sportsmen and women who belong to vulnerable groups, in cooperation with the Cyprus Addictions Authority and the Cyprus Sports Organization.
– Appropriate interventions, aimed at individuals, helping them to manage their individual characteristics and factors of risk that make them more vulnerable, such as the Financial Support Program for students belonging to vulnerable population groups in creative employment activities outside school time. The Program supports around 800 children per year in recent years.
