The Problem
In 2018, the Call Mira helpline and parent workshops at schools were launched. Through the helpline and engagements with the parents, we learned about the many challenges children face at home and school.
Our Work
The Zubin Foundation’s Children’s Counselling Centre serves children aged 5-17 in the ethnic minority community, providing them support through free one-to-one counselling in English and Hindi/Urdu. The counselling sessions help children looking to enhance their social and emotional skills to manage everyday stress and anxiety, gain confidence, improve social relationships, resolve conflicts, and discover essential tools to help them thrive and unleash their greatest potential.
Some common issues our clients come to talk to us about are:
Abuse (physical, emotional, sexual) |
ADHD | Anger Management | Anxiety |
Behaviour issues | Bullying | Depression | Family/ Relationship conflict |
Gaming/Internet Addiction | Low Self Esteem | Social Skills Building | Special Education Needs (Mild to Moderate) |
Stress | Trauma |
For FAQs regarding the Children’s Counselling Centre, please click here.
We operate from Monday to Saturday (except Sundays and Public Holidays) at Zubin’s Family Centre (Austin MTR, Exit D2, a 5-minute walk). Please refer to our policy in case of bad weather here.
Eligibility
- Ethnic Minorities in Hong Kong
- Age Group 5-17 years
- Complete a parents’/guardians’ intake assessment and consent form before the child starts counselling.
How to apply for Children councelling: To find out more or to apply for the Children Counselling service, please call or whatsapp: 9682 3100
Our Impact
Our Sponsor
Operation Santa Claus
Our Partner
Dr. Melissa Ortega Giglio
TESTIMONIALS
Mother of girl, aged 12
Iqra (Alias), female, 12-year-old Pakistani, Client of Children’s Counselling Centre
“Whenever I have been upset, my counselling sessions have made me feel better. I have learnt to express my anger through my art. I have started making things out of clay at home to help me feel calm. I have started eating more healthy food. Before, I used to eat only junk food and never ate at school, but now I do, my mother packs my lunch. I’m so glad I met you and everyone at the Centre. You all are so nice. Thank you for your help, it’s really helpful. Thank you.”
Mother of a 9-year-old Pakistani girl, Client at Children’s Counselling Centre
“I don’t know how to thank The Zubin Foundation; my daughter’s life has come back. She has started living again. She listens to the counsellor and follows everything she says. Thank you.”
Dr Ravina Lalvani, Clinical Psychologist & Project Manager, The Zubin Foundation
“Working at the Children’s Counselling Centre involves witnessing the openness, courage, and self-reflection of children and teenagers in therapy. They don’t shy away from cultural stigma, ready for honest conversations. With allocated weekly sessions when it’s ONLY and ALL about them they feel valued and empowered. The fact that they love coming to Zubin’s Family Centre, calling it their “second home”. They trust us, imposing a huge responsibility to ensure we do our best to provide the utmost quality care. Some days, it’s simply about being an instrument to ONE child and ONE family, which for them, means the world. If we don’t champion them, who will?”
Dr Shilpa Patwardhan, Lead Counsellor, Ethnic Minority Well-being Centre, The Zubin Foundation
“Clients who have come to our Centre usually presented with symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, anger control issues, grief or self-harm tendencies. Some of the common issues underlying these symptoms are family conflicts, marital or relationship conflicts, domestic violence, intergenerational trauma. Through counselling, we work with clients to develop resilience by learning strategies for emotional management, thought restructuring, self-care, problem-solving; eventually learning ways to handle their situations in a more effective and healthier way. The counselling also helps to promote their awareness about mental health. We have seen clients have found it beneficial and have also referred their friends or family members to seek help for their mental health.”
Contact
To learn how you can contribute to this programme, please contact:
Vibha P. Karnik | Partnership Manager | vibha@zubinfoundation.org | +852 2540-9588
Copyright 2024 The Zubin Mahtani Gidumal Foundation Limited (registered charity in Hong Kong - IR 91/12344). Website Developed By Kshan Tech Soft Pvt. Ltd.
“I can’t tell you how relieved I feel that my daughter is in counselling and has someone to talk to. Our relationship as mother and daughter has improved. She now knows I’m not against her.”