UNIT-VII. MENTAL HYGIENE & MENTAL HEALTH quality of the individual daily life.

A positive mental health

shows an individual’s ability to cope with the present and to
Concepts of mental hygiene & mental health
Characteristics of mentally healthy person, Warning sign adjust satisfactorily in future. mental health is a balance
of poor mental health , Promotive & preventive mental between the body, mind, spirit and the environment in which
health- strategies & services , Ego defence mechanisms &
a person lives.
implications , Personal & social adjustments, Guidance &
counseling , Role of nurse
CHARACTERISTIC OF MENTALLY HEALTHY
MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE PERSON:

CONCEPT OF MENTAL HEALTH: Solve his problems by his own efforts.

Able to take decision in any situation.
Mental health is often spoken of as a state of well Maintain daily routine of good healthy practices related
being associated with happiness, satisfaction, achievement, to nutrition, rest and hygiene.
and hope. Mental health is a dynamic or ever changing state, Positive attitude towards self.
which is considered as an important aspect of one’s total Give love and accept love.
health status. Develop a philosophy of life that gives meaning and
purpose to his daily activities.
Burmham who emphasizes the importance of
Lives in a world of reality rather than fantasy or day
integration or wholeness of personality said “a mentally
dreaming.
healthy person is one who has a balanced personality, free
Integration with others.
from schism and inconsistencies, emotional and nervous
Accept criticism.
tension, discords and conflicts. a well adjusted person can
Appreciate respect others.
deal with his potentialities as well as he can accept his
Assumes responsibility based on his capacities.
limitations.”
Enjoy leisure time.
Harry stack sullivaa says that a mentally healthy
WARNING SIGN OF POOR HEALTH:
individual would place a major value on efiicient social
functioning. Symptoms of mental illness vary depending on the type and
severity of the condition. Some general symptoms that may
Freudians lay emphasis on an awareness of one’s
suggest a mental illness include:
unconsciousness motivation and subsequent self control,
based on the awareness. • Poor concentration
• Being easily distracted
Mental health is, thus, a condition of psychological
• Worrying more
maturity. It is a condition of personal and social functioning
• Difficulty to take decisions
with a maximum of effectiveness and satisfaction. A mentally
• Feeling less interested in day-to-day activities
healthy person is responsible, self reliant and has a true sense
• Low mood
of individuality. He has a realistic life goal as well as
• Feeling overwhelmed by things
philosophy of life and values. He can differentiate between
• Excessive anxiety, fear and worries
the right and the wrong.
• Tiredness and lack of energy
From the above discussion we can easily distinguish • Sleeping more or less
between the mentally healthy and unhealthy person in the • Talking less and avoiding social activities
following ways –Mental health is not merely the absence of
mental illness. On the other hand, it is a positive, active
• Talking more or talking very fast, jumping between topics Definition: Mental hygiene is defined as the science and arts
and ideas of preserving and maximizing the mental health. English &
• Finding it difficult to control your emotions English
• Drinking more PROMOTIVE & PREVENTIVE MENTAL HEALTH
• Irritability and short temper STRATEGIES & SERVICES: WHO’s comprehensive

• Aggression mental health action plan 2013-2020 was adopted by the 66th

• Isolation World Health Assembly. Dr Margaret Chan, the WHO

Director-General, described the new Comprehensive Mental
• Suicidal thoughts
Health Action Plan 2013–2020 as a landmark achievement: it
CONCEPT OF MENTAL HYGIENE focuses international attention on a long-neglected problem
and is firmly rooted in the principles of human rights. The
Mental hygiene is a Science which deals with the
action plan calls for changes. It calls for a change in the
process of attaining mental health and preserving mental
attitudes that perpetuate stigma and discrimination that have
health in the society. The term mental health is closely related
isolated people since ancient times, and it calls for an
with the term mental hygiene as the main objective of mental
expansion of services in order to promote greater efficiency
hygiene is to attain mental health. In other words, mental
in the use of resources.
hygiene is a means of mental health. That is why we can say
The four major objectives of the action plan are to:
that mental hygiene is the means and mental health is the end.
• Strengthen effective leadership and governance for
mental health.
Mental hygiene deals with the principle of living which
• Provide comprehensive, integrated and responsive mental
serve as a guide to human adjustments. It is a branch of
health and social care services in community-based
science specially designed to suggest measures for ensuring
settings.
mental health.
• Implement strategies for promotion and prevention in
Mental hygiene is the sciences of promoting mental mental health.
health and preventing mental illness through the application • Strengthen information systems, evidence and research
psychiatric and psychology principal. It is an art which for mental health.
includes healthy practice for the promotion, preservation and
maintenance of mental health. Each of the four objectives is accompanied by one or two
specific targets, which provide the basis for measurable
According to Rivillin, mental hygiene – collective action and achievement by Member States
means the application of a body of hygiene information and towards global goals. A set of core indicators relating to
techniques these targets as well as other actions have been developed
it is taken from the sciences of psychology. and are being collected via the Mental Health Atlas
It care for the purpose of the preservation and improvement project on a periodic basis.
of mental health of the individual and community.
PREVENTING SERVICES OF MENTAL HEALTH
It is the meant for prevention and cure of minor and major
mental disease and defect of mental, educational and social The potential and possibilities for prevention of
maladjustment. mental and behavioural disorders have increased substantially
Definition: It is concerned with the principle and practice in in recent years. This paper provides a brief review of the
promotion, maintenance of the mental health and the place of prevention within the overall public health strategy
prevention of mental disorders. J.A. HADFIELD for mental and behavioural disorders.
Universal, selective and indicated preventive interventions Mental health nurses support people with issues ranging
are from anxiety and depression to personality and
01. Primary prevention: prevention targets the general eating disorders or addiction to drugs or alcohol.
public or a whole population group that has not been Mental helath nurse Dealing with the specific symptoms
identified on the basis of increased risk. Selective of mental illness, de-escalating stressful situations and
prevention targets individuals or subgroups of the helping patients overcome challenges.
population whose risk of developing a mental disorder is Interacting with patients' families and other care staff -
significantly higher than average, as evidenced by offering advice and information on patients' conditions.
biological, psychological or social risk factors. Indicated
Assessment and evaluation of the patient’s mental health
prevention targets high-risk people who are identified as
Development of treatment care plan
having minimal but detectable signs or symptoms
Consultation with other health professionals about
foreshadowing mental disorder or biological markers
indicating predisposition for mental disorder, but who do treatment plan

not meet diagnostic criteria for disorder at that time. Provision of care and psychotherapy treatment

02. Secondary prevention: seeks to lower the rate of Maintenance of medical records
established cases of the disorder or illness in the Support and education to the patients and their family
population through early detection and treatment of
DEFENCE MECHANISM/MENTAL MECHANISM
diagnosable diseases.
03. Tertiary prevention: interventions that reduce disability Definition: when an individual is faced with problem,
enhance rehabilitation and prevent relapses and difficulties or failure, he employs certain way or device to
recurrences of the illness. This paper focuses on primary achieve health, happiness and success. These are called
prevention of mental disorders. defence mechanism. Defence mechanism enables a person to
The distinction between mental health promotion and mental resolve conflict and reduce the stress and anxiety.
disorder prevention lies in their targeted outcomes. Mental
Defence mechanism can be divided into successful and
health promotion aims to promote positive mental health by
unsuccessful mechanisms as given below:
increasing psychological well-being, competence and
Successful unsuccessful
resilience, and by creating supporting living conditions and
Repression Suppression
environments. Mental disorder prevention has as its target the
Rationalization Reaction Formation
reduction of symptoms and ultimately of mental disorders. It
Intellectualization Displacement
uses mental health promotion strategies as one of the means
Compensation Denial
to achieve these goals. Mental health promotion, when
Substitution Isolation
aiming to enhance positive mental health in the community,
Sublimation Projection
may also have the secondary outcome of decreasing the
Regression
incidence of mental disorders. Positive mental health serves
Conversion
as a powerful protective factor against mental illness.
Fixation
components of a single concept of mental health.
Fantasy
ROLE OF NURSE IN IMPROVING MENTAL
Introjections
HEALTH :
Identification
Mental health nurses are responsible for planning and
01. Repression
providing support and medical and nursing care to
According to Freud, repression is basic to all other forms
people who have a range of mental health issues.
of defence mechanism. Repression refer to the process by
which an individual strives to keep unacceptable, painful and emotional attachment by giving brief statement regarding the
anxiety provoking need, urges and feelings associated with situation.
them in the unconscious layer of the mind. When we cast a Examples a patient who is serious ill, calmly tell the family
discomforting idea deliberately out of our mind, we called it member rather than saying I am so sorry.
suppression. Suppressed material is easily recalled and it This is helpful a defence mechanism to separate yourself
available in the conscious mind. When this process takes from professional crises and anxiety
places unconsciously, we call it repression. Another examples: when a person who has just been
Example: a child may feel angry with his mother because diagnosed with a terminal ill might focus on the disease
she had punished him. When he feel too guilty about his information in order to avoid distress and remain distant from
anger, he may repress it and may still be unconsciously the reality of the situation.
angry. It will be happened when the accidentally breaking 04. Compensation
of his mother favourite thing or bed wetting by the child.. When we replace a loss or to make up for a defect. Just
02. Rationalization as nature compensate for disease in our bodies when a blind
In this defence mechanism we make excuses giving a person develops extraordinarily keen hearing. So we develop
reason different from the real one for what we are doing. it is personality traits to compensate for various inadequacies.
a defence mechanism in which person justified his failure by When people are frustrated in their desires in one direction,
using the socially unacceptable behaviour by providing they compensate for it by attaining success in other direction.
socially approved reasons. Example: A student who fails in his studies may
There are generally two types of rationalization. These are: compensate by becoming the college champion in athletics.
a. Sour Grapes : When an individual fails to attain his goals A plain girl who cannot compete with her more beautiful
after repeated efforts, he may say that he did not want it any sisters may compensate by studying hard and come first in
way. He adjusts to the frustration by denying the existence of her class.
any desire in him to attain the original goals. examples: A fox 05. Substitution
which could not reach the grapes and out of sheer A mechanism in which original goals are substituted by
frustration declares that grapes are sour. Or a boy when he others. For example, a student who has not been accepted
fails to qualify himself in the school football team for admission in a medical college may satisfy herself by
rationalizes his failure by saying that he does not want to admission in nursing courses.
play 06. Sublimation
B. Sweet Lemon: When an individual is not satisfied with It is the channeling of a strong and socially unacceptable
his achievement or the situation he is in, then he uses this drive into a form that is acceptable to society. In the
form of rationalization. The individual who uses this method sublimation sexual desire are very important.
tries to convince himself that what he has is exactly what he For example: An unmarried women show repressed
wants. Examples: A teacher before joining the teaching sexual desires, by working as a nursery school teacher.
profession tried his best to get a better job than teaching but A young person who has fail in love may start write
when he fails, he accepts teaching as a very good profession poetry about love.
and thus rationalizes himself. Unsuccessful defence mechanism
03. Intellectualization 1. Suppression
It is related to rationalization, it is the far from an It is a intentional pushing away from awareness of
emotional or threatening situation by talking or thinking certain unwelcome idea, memories and feelings. We push
about it in intellectual term. A nurse, doctor and paramedical backward according to our wish and remember these ideas
worker cannot afford to become emotionally attached to each we required.
patient. So the employed the defence or free from the For example: a student worry about study so that that
They postponed weakened programme. For example: student who believe that everybody cheat in
2. Reaction formation: it is a strongly rejected or oppose to examinations may also cheat in a same way.
other. Such a tendency is called as reaction formation. The surgeon who did the mistake in operation theatre may
Example: the mother of an unwanted child may feel guilty insist that it happened because the theatre nurse and ward
and so become over-indulgent or over protective of the child boy did their task badly.
to assure herself that she is a good mother 7. Regression
People who extreme friendly, over polite have a Some people do not meet the problem of life, its strains
unconscious feeling of anger and hatred towards many and stress, in a mature way. They revert and retreat to an
people. infantile or childish level of behaviour, and thus avoid the
3. Displacement painfulness of suffering a conflict or tension. This mode of
Means to replace the actual object of feelings which are behaviour is called regression. It always implies a form of
often aggression, with another object. behaviour which is less mature then what is expected of the
Examples: A person who is angry with his boss, but cannot individual
show it for fear of losing the job may fight his wife and Example, a student may fall ill just to avoid such frustrating
children on return from the office or kick his dog. situations as an examination or appearance before a group.
4. Denial He may suffer from stomach trouble or vague aches or
Denial is the unaccepted of real thing, we use denial when headache. These modes of behaviour save the student from
death in the family, serious illness or life threatening facing the real problems
situation. A people often practice denial, at least for a period 8. Conversion
of time, when he knows he has a fatal illness but cannot A mental mechanism in which an emotional conflict is
accept his death. expressed as a physical symptom for which there is no
Examples : very old people will not easily accept that their demonstrable organic basic.
mental and physical powers are on the decline as they Example: A student very anxious about his exams may
advance in age. develop a headache.
, backward students do not find any reliability in the 9. Fantasy or Daydreaming
intelligent tests. Normally everyone uses imagination in some form to
Denial is quite harmful if practiced in moderation, but can fulfill the shortcoming of his life. Thus fantasy is a common
lead to serious difficulties in health and life style if method of adjustment that reduces conflict and tension. Day
practiced to excess. dreaming is another frequently used form of fantasy.
5. Isolation Example: Teenagers fantasize about adventure, romance
Separation of the idea of an unconscious impulse from its and being successful in future while old people relive their
appropriate affect, thus allowing only the idea and not the youth in their fantasies. Excessive daydreaming may result
associated affect to enter awareness, as in the ability to in the loss of contact with fact of life and may lead to a
express traumatic experience without the associated psychotic disorder called schizophrenia
disturbing emotion, with passage of time. 10. Identification
For example, a solider humorously describes how he was It is an adjustment mechanism which enables one to
seriously wounded in the war. achieve satisfaction from the successes of other people,
6. Projection: groups or organization.
Projection relives tension and anxiety by transferring the Example: Boys often identify themselves with their father,
responsibility for unacceptable idea, impulses, wishes or and girls with their mothers. Student often identify
thoughts to another person. themselves with their favourite teachers and try to modify
their behaviour accordingly.
Implication of Ego Defence Mechanism: 01. Adjustment at Family and Home:
An individual is not born adjusted or maladjusted, it is
The defense mechanism has a profound impact on the
his physical, mental and emotional potentialities that are
development of personality.
influenced and directed by the factors of environment in
The idea of a defense mechanism is a psychological
which he found himself that adjustment or
approach to coping with a particular problem or
maladjustment gradually develop.
situation.
The family is the oldest and the most important of all the
It is a construct of the conscious in dealing with an issue
institutions that man has devised to regulate and integrate
that potentially resides in the sub-consciousness.
his behavior as he strives to satisfy his basic needs.
We use defense mechanisms to protect ourselves from
if family relationship has been good, not only during
feelings of anxiety or guilt, which arise because we feel
childhood but also during adolescence, the person will
threatened, or because our id or superego becomes too
develop into a well adjusted individual. One of the
demanding.
important roles of family is presumed to be the
We all have thoughts, feelings, and memories that can be
socialization of the child.
difficult to deal with. In some cases, people deal with
Home is first social institution where a child needs to be
such feelings by utilizing what are known as defense
adjusted. When a child becomes aware of other
mechanisms.
individuals who comprise his social environment at
These defense mechanisms are unconscious
home he tends to regard them as a mean through which
psychological responses that protect people from threats
he may attain personal satisfaction.
and things that they don't want to think about or deal
From the very beginning he imitates the speaking and
with.
eating habits of his family and gradually reflects attitudes
learned in the home toward elders.
PERSONAL & SOCIAL ADJUSTMENTS:
02. Adjustment at school
Adjustment means the modification to compensate As the children start school they face many challenges.
for or meet special conditions. Webster-1951 Personal challenges occur as children take new identity
Adjustment is the interaction between a person and at school. Children face the challenges to adjust to the
his environment. How one adjusts in a particular situation strange building, new teachers, new academic
depends upon one’s personal characteristics and the activities, and they need to mix with the new and more
circumstances of the situations. Arkoff-1968 diverse group of children.
An adjustment is a small change that is made to At school, daily schedule is more structured, with more
something such as a machine or a way of doing something. formal rules. Children are faced with large groups of
children of different ages and size especially during
AREA OF ADJUSTMENT: Adjustment in the case of assembly and playtime, and they are confronted with the
individual consisted of personal as well as environmental challenges of making new friends. Successful adjustment
components. These two aspects of adjustment can be further to school largely depends on past experiences at home
subdivided into smaller aspects of personal and and on children skills and knowledge.
environmental factors. When children exhibit a range of social skills associated
Broadly speaking there are three areas where an individual with cooperation, initiating interactions or assertion, and
need to be adjusted to live a balance life. These are: Family self control, they are more likely to adjust easily to
and home, School, and Society. school. Difficulties are likely to arise when children are:
Here we will discuss two areas: (1) Family and home, and (2) non compliant; disorganized; distractible; or when they
school.
 are anti social and have difficulty considering the rights Satisfaction of basic needs. His basic organic, emotional and
of others (Margetts, 2002). social needs are full satisfied or in the process of being
Adjustment to schooling is influenced by a variety of satisfied. He does not suffer from emotional cravings and
personal and family Characteristics, and societal trend. social isolation. He feels reasonably secure and maintains his
It is the interaction of the child's personal characteristics self-esteem.
and their experiences that ultimately determines how a Absence of critical or fault-finding attitude. He appreciates
child adjusts to school (Margetts, 2002). the goodness in objects, persons or activities. His observation
is scientific rather than critical or punitive. He likes people,
CHARACTERISTICS OF ADJUSTMENT
admires their good qualities, and wins their affection.
MECHANISM
Flexibility in behavior. He is not rigid in his attitude or way
of life. He can easily accommodate or adapt himself to
Adjustment mechanism is almost used by all people.
changed circumstances by making necessary changes in his
They are ideas which are inferred from the behavior of
behavior.
the individuals.
The capacity to deal with adverse circumstances. He is not
All mechanisms are used to protect or enhance the
easily overwhelmed by adverse circumstances and has the
persons self esteemed against dangers.
will and the courage to resist and fight odds. He has an
They increase satisfaction and help in the process of
inherent drive to master his environment rather than to
adjustment if used within limit.
passively accept it.
The danger is always within the person. He fears his own
A realistic perception of the word. He holds a realistic vision
motives.
and is not given to flights of fancy. He always plans, thinks
The fear and danger are manifested in adjustment
and acts grammatically.
mechanism.
A feeling of ease with his surroundings. A well-adjusted
The overall effect of adjustment mechanism is to cripple
individual feels satisfied with his surroundings. He fits in
the individual's functioning and development through
well in his home, family, neighbourhood and other social
falsifying some aspects of his impulses so that he is
surroundings. If a student, he likes his school, school-mates,
deprived of accurate self knowledge as a basis for action.
teachers, and feels satisfied with his daily routine. When he
Characteristics of a well adjusted person: enters a profession, he has a love for it and maintains his zeal
and enthusiasm despite all odds.
A well-adjusted person is supposed to possess the A balanced philosophy of life. A well-adjusted person has a
following characteristics: philosophy which gives direction to his life while keeping in
Awareness of his own strengths and limitations. A well view the demands of changed situations and circumstances.
adjusted person knows his own strengths and weaknesses. He This philosophy is centredaround the demands of his society,
tries to make capital out of his assets in some areas by culture, and his own self so that he does not clash with his
accepting his limitation. environment or with himself (Mangal, 2006).
Respecting himself and others. The dislike of one-self is a
typical symptom of maladjustment. An adjusted individual Methods of Adjustment: methods of adjustment can be
has respect for himself as well as for others. divided into two main categories.
An adequate level of aspiration. His level of aspiration is
01. Direct methods: These types of methods employed by the
neither too low nor too high in terms of his own strengths and
individual intentionally at the conscious level.
abilities. He does not try to reach for the stars and also does
Increasing trial or improving efforts: They are help in
not repent over selecting an easier course for his
getting permanent solution of the problem in a particular
advancement.
situation.
 Adopting compromising means: For maintain harmony Guidance is based upon a philosophy of human
between his self and the environment one may adopt uniqueness, goodness, worth and dignity all of which can be
following posture nurtured. The guidance processes are based on the belief that
He may altogether change his direction of efforts by given certain conditions, an individual’s potential to make a
changing the original goal. choice and make a decision can be utilized for maximum
He may seek partial substitution of goal like selection benefit to the individual and society.
for the provincial civil services in place of the IAS.
MEANING OF GUIDANCE
He may satisfy himself by an apparent substitute for
the real thing.
To guide means to indicate, to point out, and to
Withdrawal and submission: one may learn to manage
show the way. It means more than to assist. A man falls on
with one’s environment by just accepting defeat and
the street; we assist him to get up but we do not guide him
surrendering oneself to the powerful forces of
unless we help him to go in a certain direction.
environment and circumstances.
The synonyms of ‘to guide’ are – to lead, to conduct, to
02. Indirect methods: In which a person tries to seek
regulate, to direct, to steer, to show, to channel, to point.
temporary adjustment to protect him for the time being
DEFINITION OF GUIDANCE
against a psychological danger. These are purely psychic or
mental device-way of perceiving situation as he wants to see Guidance involves the difficult art of helping boys and girls

them and imaging that thing would happen according to his to plan their own future wisely in the full light of all the

wishes. A few important defence mechanism includes: factors that can be mastered about themselves and about the

repression, regression, compensation , rationalization, world in which they are to live and work.” Secondary

projection etc Education Commission, 1952.

“Guidance is assistance made available by personally and
PERSONAL ADJUSTMENT: adequately trained men or women to an individual of any age
to help him manage his own life activities, develop his own
Process of harmony between the individual and his
points of view, make his own decisions and carry his own
environment. Applies energy and effort to accommodate
burdens.” Crow and Crow.
perfectly within the society and the environment
“Guidance helps an individual to develop his personality and

Tries to fulfil his needs and lead a happy social life. enables him to serve the society to the best of his capabilities

SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT: and talents.” Woodworth.

Human being is a social being

PRINCIPLES OF GUIDANCE
As social beings we live in a society
Everyone needs acceptance and recognition from and 01. Principle of all-round development of the
within the society. individual: Guidance must take into account the all-
Try to behave according to the norms of the society, so round development of the individual when bringing
that we can adjust with others. about desirable adjustment in any particular area of his
Social adjustment is a psychological process. personality.
It frequently involves coping with new standards and 02. The principle of human uniqueness: No two
values in the society. individuals are alike or same. Person differs in their
Social adjustment is getting along with the members of physical, mental, social, emotional and behaviour
the individual as one can. development. Though guidance we can recognize these
differences and provide help according to their specific
GUIDANCE & COUNSELING:
need.
03. Principle of holistic development: The child grows Good study habits and note taking skills.
as a whole and even if one aspect of personality is in Habits that lead to adequate preparation so as to develop
focus, the other areas of development which are confidence to sit for examinations
indirectly influencing the personality have also to be Skills to deal with crisis situations
kept in mind. Improved concentration in order to uplift grades.
04. The principle of cooperation: No individual can be Skills in subject choice
forced into guidance. The consent and cooperation of Methods of developing realistic goals based on values,
the individual is a pre-requisite for providing guidance. ability and interests
05. The principle of extension: Guidance service should Guidance also plays preventive, remedial and
not be limited to a few persons, who give observable developmental roles.
evidence of its need, but it should be extended to all 02. Vocational guidance: This is the process of helping
persons of all ages, who can benefit from it directly or individuals to choose an occupation or profession. These
indirectly. guidance provided in following manner :
06. The principle of adjustment: principal of adjustment Informing About jobs available.
related to an individual whole life span. it is chiefly Types of duties to be performed and wages according to
concerned with an individual’s physical or mental performance.
health, with his adjustment at home, school, society Working hours and conditions.
and vocational area. Qualifications and requirements for entry.
07. Principle of individual needs: The individual and his Preparation for entry
needs are of utmost significance. Recognition of Students can be exposed to information through the
individual freedom, worth, respect and dignity is the following channels;
hallmark of guidance. Freedom to make a choice and Reading from library sources
take a decision needs to be respected and encouraged. Guests from various career fields can be invited to give
08. The principle of responsibility: Parents and teachers speeches about their work.
have great responsibility in the execution of the work Students can be shown films or videotapes that show
of guidance. guidance should be centred on a qualified people in different professional fields at work for
person. example, a surgeon at work.
09. The principle of expert opinion: serious guidance Students are assisted to make choices of an occupation
problems should be referred to persons who are trained by taking relevant courses. Students are also informed of
to deal with particular area of adjustment for their the changes taking place in the occupational outlets.
expert opinion. 03. Personal guidance: The individual is helped to deal
10. The principle of evaluation: The guidance with adjustment problems from various sources, for
programme should be evaluated in terms of its example family, change of school, learning problems,
effectiveness and improvement. Evaluation is essential boy/girl relationships, decision making, problem solving
for the formulation of new goals or re-drafting the and goal setting. Personal counseling helps the
existing goals. individual to deal with anxieties and stress, drug abuse,
and suicidal tendencies.
AREA OF GUIDANCE 04. Guidance for Leisure Time : This involves helping
01. Educational guidance: In education guidance plays the students with information about;
role of helping the individual in planning suitable What to do during out of class sessions, weekends and
programs and making progress. It involves helping holidays
students to develop;
 Selection of hobbies, co-curricular activities e.g. games, 09. Finances guidance: the person is trained how to manage
athletics, cultural and work experiences. his money, how to look for scholarships and help in
Students need to be helped to make the time out of class order to ease the burden of financing education.
a time to develop certain interests. During this time
Definition of counseling
activities should be arranged to promote interpersonal
behaviour.
:Ccounselling is an accepting, trusting and safe relationship
05. Social guidance: This refers to guidance on social
in which client learn to discuss openly what worries and
behavior and relationships. Sometimes students have
upsets them, to define precise behaviours goals to acquire
problems relating with peers and as a result they do not
essential social skills and to develop the courage and self
win peer acceptance. These students need training in
confidence to implement the desire new behaviours. Merle
social skills so that they learn how to make and keep
M Ohlsen-1977
friends. They should be trained how to communicate
their needs, feelings and aspirations as well as how to be “Counseliing is a process through which an
sensitive to the needs and feelings of other people. This individual is able to solve their problem and pursue a path
will make them better functioning and more adaptive in suited to their abilities and aspirations. – JM Brewer
social environments.
Professional counselling is a safe and confidential*
06. Moral guidance: Moral guidance aims at helping
collaboration between qualified counsellors and clients to
students to practice morality. It helps students to be able
promote mental health and wellbeing, enhance self-
to distinguish right from wrong and to make the right
understanding, and resolve identified concerns. Clients are
moral decisions. Moral guidance will train students the
active participants in the counselling process at every stage.
benefits of being truthful so that they avoid telling lies. It
will also keep them from anti social behavior so that they Goals of Counselling:
observe the set rules and regulations; learn to respect
authority as well as conforming to societal norms Listening carefully to the patient is the main goal.

governing moral behavior.

To make the patient to ventilate his emotions properly
07. Health guidance: should help the students to acquire
and help him to be aware of his own emotions and
healthy habits in the following areas.
encourage him to be independent.
Good feeding habits. Each student should know the
Identify the need of the patient. E.g., parents need
benefits of a balanced diet. Students should avoid
counselling for their children’s behaviour problems.
harmful eating habits for example over-reliance on junk
Main problem should be focused so that the sub-
foods, anorexic and bulimic habits, drugs and risk taking
problems should be identified by the patient himself.
sexual behaviour.
Make the patient to accept himself with his problem and
Exercise and rest, which help to improve the individual’s
help him to adjust with it till it gets over
physique and body strength. Unhealthy person may
To focus on his strengths by studying the case and
develop a various types of illness.
produce positive attitude in him and ultimately help him
08. Marital guidance: The person is helped to make the
to reduce his negativity.
right choice of partners, how to live with a spouse and
how to make decisions in marriage. Marital guidance PRINCIPLES OF COUNSELLING:
helps for married couples who have problems in their
01. Principle of acceptance: Accept the patient without
relationship.
any differences. For example: allow the patient
 physical, psychological, social, economical and inner resources to solve the problem. In this approach,
cultural conditions. the counselee plays an important role.
02. Principle of authenticity: Counsellor should have 03. Eclectic counselling: In this counselling, the strategy
genuineness, honesty and simplicity. arises out of the appropriate knowledge of individual
03. Principle of communication: Communication behaviour and a combination of directive and other
should be verbal as well as non-verbal and should be approaches.
skilful. Characteristics of eclectic counselling
04. Principle of empathy: Instead of showing Objective types and coordinating methods are use in
sympathy put yourself in patient’s shoes and then eclectic counselling
give reflections accordingly. At the beginning client-active methods are used.
05. Principle of non-judge: Counsellor should be non- Principle of low expenditure is emphasized.
judgmental about his condition. Mental attitude-do Make them possible to client himself find out solution of
not criticizes or comments negatively regarding a problem.
patient’s complaints.
AREA OF COUNSELLING:
06. Principle of confidentiality: All personal
information should be maintained confidential. Emotional Abuse: allows one person to gain power and
Always keep the patient’s name, and the problem control over another through words and gestures which
strictly secretes and assures the patient about the gradually undermine the other’s self respect.
same.
07. Principle of individuality: Counsellor should Treat Relationship Issues: Some relationships are unable to
each and every patient as unique and respect his contain some of life’s pressures and stresses; illness,
problem as well. redundancy, retirement or debt all take their toll.
08. Principles of non-emotional involvement: Trauma: A traumatic event involves an experience or
Counsellor should not getting emotionally involved enduring event(s) that overwhelm our ability to cope or
with the patient and avoid getting carried away with understand the ideas and emotions involved with that
his feelings. experience.
Stress: Too much stress can put your health at risk and
TECHNIQUES/APPROACHES TO COUNSELLING:
leave you unable to function. It is the second major cause

Approaches of counseling based on the of illness at work, after back problems.

counselling process and role of the counsellor. Terminal Illness: Counselling can be a valuable
resource for everyone close to the individual, and for the
Three types of counseling techniques individual themselves.
01. Directive or counsellor centered: the counsellor is active Work related issues: Counselling can help unravel
and direct the individual in making decision and finding patterns of relating to people, and show us how to
solutions to problems. The counselor does not force the examine our own issues, helping towards a more
individual but directs the process of thinking of fulfilling career.
counselee by informing, explaining, interpreting and Anger Management: Understanding what the trigger
through advising. Final decision has to be taken by the points are and re-examining our thoughts around them
counselee can be among the first steps to managing anger.
02. Non-directive or client centered counselling: In the Anxiety: Anxiety is a problem which feeds on itself and
directive counselling, counselee is guided to use his own is often covered up and dealt with in isolation. Anxiety
can take many forms including phobias, social anxiety, Difference between guidance and counseling:
panic attacks, and insomnia. Guidance Counseling
Depression: Depression is a state of low mood and Guidance is defined as the act of Counseling is a psychological
aversion to activity that can affect a person’s thoughts, guiding, giving leadership, specialty that deals with research
behaviour, feelings and physical well-being. Depressed supervision, direction or and applied work in supervision,
people may feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, professional guidance for future training, career development,
worthless, guilty, irritable, or restless. actions. It is usually provided to prevention, and health. It focuses
Bereavement Counselling: This focus on working students in preparation for a on a person’s strengths, assets,
through the stage of grief. In this counselling talking vocation.
environmental interactions,
about the loss and is usually helpful and allows a person educational background, career
to adjust to their new life with all its changes, good and development and personality.
bad. However keeping things bottled up, or denying the Guidance helps a person It has been used by individuals,
sadness can prolong the pain. discover and develop his institutions, families,
Low self-esteem: Counselling can often help those psychological, vocational and rehabilitation agencies and other
suffering from low self-esteem and help develop a sense educational potential in order to organizations. It utilizes
of self, to ensure a more fulfilling life. be happier and more useful in psychological methods in the
society. Each person is
collection of case
responsible for his decisions but
history data through personal
when he is young he
interview, testing and aptitude.
will need some one to guide him
through life.
It assists clients towards an A counselor’s basic concern
appropriate course of action. It should go beyond treating
may be used as therapeutic aid dysfunction. It should deal with
in the treatment of minor a client’s self awareness which
emotional disturbances and should help him towards
disorders.
personal growth & development.
Advice or instructions given by Advice given by a counselor
someone more experienced or based on personal or psychology
qualified related problems of the
individuals.
Anyone who has good Need to be done with a
experience and knowledge can professional counselor with a
give guidance to others recognized license to practice as
a counselor.
Deals with education and career Deals with personal and socio-
relater issue psychological issues
Has a broader scope such as Essentially covers personal and
educational guidance, career psychological assistance
guidance, financial guidance,
health guidance, etc
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