About Us:
‘Vacha Resource Center for Women & Girls’, established 35 years back envisions a society built on the principles of social justice, equity and democracy and without exploitation, oppression, discrimination and injustice against women or any other section of society. Vacha works with adolescents (primarily girls) living in 14 urban Bastis (slums) located across municipal wards in Mumbai and Thane districts.
Vacha also prepares and encourages adolescent girls and boys to fully participate in civic life as informed citizens. For more information: https://vacha.org.in
About the role:
Vacha works with Adolescent girls & a few boys (10yrs to 19 yrs) residing at Mumbai & Kalyan- Dombivli Bastis along with a team of Community Organizers and Coordinators.
The new generation, also known as ‘GenZ’ faces a significant mental health crisis largely influenced by familial, societal pressures and the persistent impact of media. Typically, many of these issues remain unrecognized and hence untreated. They reach us when they become unbearable.
Addressing to these challenges requires creating awareness about mental health, development of specialized coping mechanisms and collaborative support through families, community centres, schools and communities to foster resilience, to connect with effective mental health resources and to facilitate the adolescents to navigate their mental health challenges more effectively.
Specific job Responsibilities:
1. Understanding cultural context of the adolescents with empathy and patience ensuring confidentiality
2. Conducting common sessions with the adolescents on mental health issues and self-care, open communication to foster help-seeking behavior and development of coping skills
3. Conducting training workshops for Vacha’s Community Organizers and Coordinators to make them aware of mental health issues faced by the adolescents handling them at primary levels
4. Subtle identification of adolescents at risk, in coordination with the Community Organizers and Coordinators
5. Developing tools and identification of support systems from within the community in coordination with the Community Organizers and Coordinators
6. Enabling access to resources like mental health services and networks
Job Requirements:
1. Master’s Degree in Social Work (Counselling as a major subject) from recognized Institute OR
Master’s Degree in Psychology with counselling as a major subject
2. Counselling Practice / Experience of counselling of adolescents for 4-5 years
3. Knowledge of Child Rights, Child Safeguard Policy and POCSO
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: ₹25,000.00 - ₹30,000.00 per month
Work Location: In person
