Interview with Peer-Counselor for Independent Living Training:
Ms.Emiko Nakahara and Ms.Hiroko Akiyama
- Q1. What is your impression of the training this year?
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Ms.Akiyama: Last year, participants had mixed feelings toward Independent Living (IL). They were not sure whether it was beneficial for them or not since they did not fully understand the meaning of IL. Since some participants who attended last year
are attending the training again, and becoming leaders, they have a much better understanding of IL. Their experience in the past year has built up their confidence; they understood what more they needed and wanted to learn about IL and peer-counseling.
Ms.Nakahara(Left) and Ms.Akiyama (right)
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Ms.Nakahara: The look on the participants' faces changed throughout the training. Since the first day of training was a lecture, without technical experience, I think they could not fully understand the significance of IL. Furthermore, they likely did not have enough confidence to proceed with IL due to a lack of knowledge and experience with it.
On the other hand, I believe that the participants in Pattaya could reach a common understanding of IL through their practical training since they had exchanged ideas and opinions through practical questions. For example, how to support friends who are thinking about committing suicide or how to get along with a peer-counselor, etc. Through this exchange, they were able to further develop their understanding of independent living and peer-counseling.
- Q2. What did you feel participants learned the most?
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Ms.Nakahara: They learned that equality is the most important in peer-counseling. There is no distinction between the peer-counselor and the person being counseled. They learned that listening is the fundamental approach to peer-counseling, where listening carefully is more important than giving advice.
No advice does not mean no support. Listening to a story is already supporting a person to think and find a solution by themselves. If a leader gives them advice, they would not think it out by themselves, which in reality could mean taking away an opportunity for self-consideration. In that way, persons grow to be more dependent rather than independent. As listening to their story, they would be able to think and decide. This is the beginning of independent living.
- Q3. What are your expectations of the Thai participants after the training?
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Ms.Nakahara: They need time to find the Thai way of IL which meets the needs of Thai society. The key element is to promote/develop a social movement toward IL in Thai society. There is no instant success of IL. It is my hope that participants who are particularly capable of becoming peer-counselors can develop the Thai way of IL in the near future.
- Q4. Do you think other developing countries could benefit from having IL training like the Thai?
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Ms.Nakahara: Yes, I do. IL has nothing to do with a country or culture but rather pursuing freedom from all obstacles which includes psychological barriers such as overcoming low self-esteem. However, it is difficult for only one person to achieve this. Colleagues and friends are needed to support and work with, to form organizations such as non-governmental organizations to promote the IL movement in society. It is this kind of advocacy that generally leads to social changes.
