It's good to talk, as police launch new counselling project

Families encouraged to talk to resolve issues and disputes to avoid social unrest the need for police intervention.

The Department of Social Support Centres at Abu Dhabi Police has launched the 'Mawada and Rahma' initiative as part of the Year of giving 2017 initiatives at the third edition of the Liwa date festival in Al Dhafra.

Brigadier Ali Al-Badi, Director of Social Support Centres, said that the initiative provides free psychosocial counselling by psychologists and social workers.

"We want to raise the awareness among members of the community about the importance of communication between members of the same family, and to find solutions that avoid social problems and maintain family stability," he said.

In the first quarter of 2017, the Social Support Centres department has trained around 20 people from various academic disciplines such as the UAE University and the Higher Colleges of Technology as part of their Strategic Plan.

The department offered training programs aimed at developing and refining trainees' skills, equip them with new knowledge and prepare them for work development.

The trainees arranged for a number of community initiatives related to happiness and family cohesion, in conjunction with the year of giving 2017.

The most important of these initiatives were the 'Nursery of Happiness' and 'Be Happy' initiative, along with offering free meals to workers and designing and distribution leaflets that describes the objectives and services of social support centres.