Religious Help ByTelephone

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30396, 21 March 1964, Page 14

Religious Help ByTelephone

A telephone niinistiy “Life-Line,”.. sponsored by."the Christchurch' Methodist Cehtral' Mission, Wilt begin in Christchurch today. A 24-hour. service is provided for .persons who need comfort or adyice/ They will be able to hear a Christian, message.

The superintendent of the mission (the Rev. W. E. Falkirigham) said yesterday , the . message, : available by dialling 42-299, was directed to the - basic- needs of life. It was there-for the lonely, the frustrated, the fearful and the anxious, . Personal Interviews Callers wanting to speak , to those at the mission personally, or wishing to arrange '■ a personal, iriterview could do so from next Tuesday by 1 dialling a private counselling line (32-370). “Life-Line” will . be extended on April 14 when specially - trained persons would be on telephone .duty, from 9 a.m, to midnight. •• Without ■ necessarily revealing their identity, inquirers ' will be able to discuss their ■ personal problems in conft- ■ dence. • ? ' - ! Continuous Service A - service with telephones manned day arid night is also

envisaged, Mr Falkingham said. .■■■' '' Under this scheriie a “trouble team.” will .be on call every night to go out to urgent cases of: need, but it will not be established until sufficient persons are trained for the work,; ‘ “Trouble team” meriihers will be lectured by social service workers on the “principles of counselling;” ministers will . outline • the principles -of helping with spiritual problems; and a psychiatrist will conduct a seminar ,to help counsellors recognise need for specialist help; ‘ \ ■■■: , - • Counsellors’ Course . . A special course . will be conducted in May, by a New Zealand psychologist, the Rev. Dr. D, O. Williams, principal of Trinity Theological College , Persons requiring spiritual help will - be advised to see their own minister or priest, but: counsellors will be available for those who have no church affiliation. All churches and welfare organisations will be advised of the proposals and their cooperation will be sought.