Free Counseling Available for Young People in Belize City

Kevin Cadle

One of the new support services the Department of Youth has already rolled out is a counseling and wellness service. Director of the DYS Kevin Cadle says this is crucial, no matter what other opportunities are also being given.

Kevin Cadle, Director, Department of Youth Services

“We also added a youth counseling and wellness service. We realize now that was a very important strategy. In doing this assessment, we realize that a lot of young people are asking for counseling services especially in their community. I believe that counseling is one of the key ingredients to change behavior and to change communities. I know that a lot of the strategies that have been used by NGOs and a lot of other stakeholders has been skills development, skills development, job opportunities; but I have always said and it is being noted now that the psycho-social aspect of young people needed change for their development; you can give people all the jobs you want and develop their skills all you want but trauma, PTSD and other traumatic experiences of the past still play out. Until you can find catharsis and let go of those behaviors and challenges you won’t be able to move forward in your life. And that is why the department has become so strategic.”

If you are a young person in need of counseling, the DYS says this is available to you at the lower flat of the education building on North Front Street. The service is completely free.