Psycho-Social Counselling

1. 01

   OBTEC: Kilinochchi

   The OBTEC Counselling Centre was officially established on 23 September 2022 at Kanagapuram, Kilinochchi, with financial support from IMHO (International Medical Health Organization, USA). Its mission is to promote psychological well-being, emotional healing, and holistic human development, particularly among people in need. Fr. I. S. Vijendran, OMI, served as its first Director, supported by professionally qualified counsellors.

   OBTEC works closely with the District General Hospital, Kilinochchi, and the Divisional Hospital, Tharmapuram, providing psychological counselling to patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. It also offers specialized support for people affected by addiction through individual and family counselling, psycho-education, relapse prevention, and long-term psychological care.

   The Centre provides school-based counselling for students through individual and group sessions, life-skills programmes, and emotional well-being activities. It also serves children's homes through trauma-informed counselling, play therapy, art-based interventions, and resilience-building programmes.

   In addition, OBTEC conducts early-childhood emotional development programmes, community mental-health awareness, family and parenting programmes, youth empowerment, and psychosocial support in villages and parishes. Through these diverse services, the Centre seeks to promote healthier individuals, stronger families, and more resilient communities.

2. 02

   Amaithy Thendral: Centre for Psychosocial Animation and Value Education – Mullaitivu

   The Amaithy Thendral Centre was established to promote healing, peace, psychosocial well-being, and holistic human development among communities affected by the 2004 Tsunami and the civil war in Northern Sri Lanka. The initiative began in 2006 at Unnapulavu, Mullaitivu, and the Centre was officially inaugurated on 20 January 2008, with Fr. Peter Rajanayagam, OMI, and Fr. Confucius, OMI, taking the lead in establishing its programmes.

   The Centre provides psychosocial and value-education programmes for children, youth, parents, teachers, families, and vulnerable communities. Since 2011, its ministry has expanded to Mannar, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, and Mullaitivu, reaching schools, villages, hospitals, children's homes, elders' homes, refugee rehabilitation centres, and communities affected by war and poverty.

   Particular attention is given to widows, female-headed families, persons with disabilities, elderly people, children, youth, and teachers, helping them develop resilience, emotional well-being, peaceful relationships, and hope for the future.

   Since its establishment, 67 staff members have contributed to this ministry. The Centre has been guided by successive Oblate directors: Fr. Sebastian, OMI, Fr. Amalathas, OMI, Fr. Poncian, OMI, and Fr. I. S. Vijendran, OMI.

3. 03

   Anjali Aham: Point Pedro

   Anjali Aham, located in Thumpalai, Point Pedro, Jaffna, was established on 22 May 2006, with Fr. S. Damian, OMI, as its first Director. Founded with the mission “To journey with wounded people in love and compassion,” it began as a psychosocial support centre and has grown into an important community development ministry serving people across the Jaffna Peninsula.

   The Centre – with Fr. A. Thevavasantharasa, OMI, as its director at present – provides counselling and psychosocial support to people affected by war, displacement, natural disasters, family difficulties, and other social challenges. It also supports children, youth, women, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable families.

4. 04

   Valarpirai (ICOF)

   The Institute of Counselling and Ongoing Formation (ICOF), founded by Fr. S. M. Selvaratnam, OMI, was one of the early counselling centres of its kind in Jaffna. It has played an important role in promoting the emotional, personal, and social well-being of people, especially schoolchildren and university students.

   Today, under the guidance of Fr. Damian, OMI, the Centre continues to accompany people in need, including children with autism and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Through counselling, guidance, and ongoing support, it seeks to provide a safe, compassionate, and inclusive environment where people can find acceptance, develop their potential, and face life's challenges with confidence and hope.

5. 05

   Annai Illam: Kilinochchi

   Annai Illam, now functioning as the LEBARA Library and Education Resource Centre, was originally established by Fr. E. Edmund Reginald, OMI, as a counselling centre for victims of ethnic violence. As the need for psychosocial support increased in Vanni land, the Centre also trained groups of counsellors, becoming one of the few counselling-training centres serving the war-affected Vanni region.

   Through its evolving ministry, Annai Illam has contributed significantly to healing, psychosocial support, education, and community development among vulnerable communities in the region.

Source: Pathinathan Sathiyaseelan, OMI, “Present Ministries of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Jaffna Province”