Training in Telephone Counselling for HIV/AIDS

[Guest guest]

Dear Friend

" In the history of HIV community service development, hotlines are

distinctive for the following reasons:

1.. usually they are among the first community initiatives to appear

in the context of HIV community responses;

2.. usually they are organised initially by groups of the highest

known sero-prevalence.;

3.. they usually endure and grow to the extent that the value of

hotlines is now beyond any doubt in those communities where they

have been established. "

Dr. D. 's comment in 1990 underlines the contemporary relevance

of helplines and hotlines in providing much needed support to

communities and People Living with HIV/AIDS. In addition, they offer

confidentiality and 24-hour availability (sometimes). They are

frequently the first source of assistance. However, appropriate

training to prepare would-be counsellors and volunteers is often

lacking.

The Cell for AIDS Research Action and Training (CARAT) is pleased

to announce a HANDS-ON training programme for both full-fledged

counsellors as well as volunteers. TELEPHONE COUNSELLING FOR HIV/AIDS

DATES: May 9 to May 13, 2001

VENUE: Tata Institute of Social Sciences

Sion-Trombay Road, Deonar,

Mumbai - INDIA

The workshop offers

a.. a working knowledge on HIV/AIDS-related issues like Basic Epidemiology

and Virology, Positive Living, and

b.. skills in basic counselling, telephonic counselling, handling

inappropriate callers

c.. information on establishing a helpline, maintaining records, ethics

of helplines

d.. a guided field visit to local helplines

a.. Workshop faculty include helpline counsellors as well as the authors

of the book " Telephone Counselling for HIV/AIDS: A Counsellor's Source Book "

Those interested in participating are requested to get in touch with

Ms Melita Vaz, Cell for AIDS Research Action and Training, Tata Institute

of Social Sciences, Post Bag 8313, Deonar Mumbai, 400 088,

melita@...) Please confirm your participation early to avoid

disappointment as there are limited seats.

Yours sincerely,

Ms Melita Vaz

Medical and Psychiatric Social Work Dept.

Tata Institute of Social Sciences

E-mail: melita@...