Emotional Help Line Channel Volunteers (VESH) is a joint international telephone counseling service network established by the 3 largest international services (Befrienders/Samaritans, IFOTES & Lifeline). In their role in the network of emotional support services, they have agreed to develop a more effective and powerful international interface.
VESH represents 1,200 member centers in 61 countries. Their goal is to ensure maximum access to effective services for people in trouble [1]. They agree to:
- encourage the development of new services in the field of need
- promote best practices
- improves information sharing between member associations and external
- represents member experience internationally
- improve communication skills that contribute to emotional health.
Together, VESH partners have around 1,200 member centers in 61 countries. They have underscored the commitment to sharing information and activities together. This section includes annual meetings and quarterly telephone conferences to plan and implement collaborative projects.
At the Congress of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) in Ireland in 2007, VESH members
- was asked to consider leading the re-establishment of the IASP Task Force on Best Practices on the Helpline.
- agreed to provide one person to become a member of the Scientific Committee planning the contents of the IASP International Congress 2009.
- agree to produce two draft books along the lines of 'Setting Up a New Emotional Support Service', and 'Best Practices Guideline' (following the WHO request)
Video Volunteer Emotional Support Helplines
History
In 2002 IFOTES, LifeLine International and Befrienders International (and later adopted by Befrienders Worldwide) signed a Memorandum of Understanding - with a view to maximizing the shared impact of emotional support services.
Since then a number of joint initiatives have been undertaken including a joint platform at the international conference of the International Association for Suicide Prevention and joint involvement in planning for the 2006 World Mental Health Mental Day, the European Single Number Project (116 123) and the European Green Papers on Mental Health.
Maps Volunteer Emotional Support Helplines
Member Organization
Each VESH member represents counseling services in many countries.
Become A Worldwide Friend
Friends all over the world are now run by the Samaritans, who took Befrienders International's work in 2003. They have members all over the world.
- Friends are friends with members' help lines (also links to "non-members" Lifeline international helpline)
IFOTES - International Federation of Emergency Phone Services
Founded in 1967, IFOTES brings together the National Phone Emergency Services Association, primarily from Western Europe, along with Israel and some Eastern European countries
- IFOTES Website (click on Member State to find member services)
Lifeline International
Lifeline International is run by Lifeline Australia. Member organizations are from countries in Asia & amp; Pacific Islands Region, several African countries, and Canada and the United States.
- Lifestyle links to helpline
Future plans
Members recognize the enormous similarities between them and feel there will be great advantages in having an international network within 5-10 years, in which all members will be part of it. This will be something along the lines of the 'International Network of Emotion Support Services'.
This is to provide a common platform, as well as an information exchange center that leverages the vast diversity of combined member experiences - both geographically and in the form of innovative responses in providing emotional support. They believe that a joint network can build and leverage the diversity of members, while also ensuring members feel connected to each other and feel an identity with such networks.
Taking collaboration to new level
Each VESH member has appreciated their activities, and the role they play in influencing best practices and enhancing joint network profiles. They want to bring this collaboration to a new level, to enable them to respond effectively to new opportunities and responsibilities.
Members have limited resources, and to have the greatest impact and impact at the national, regional and international levels want to improve the relationship between all members, at all these levels. This could, for example, include joint regional workshops and other activities; or to better utilize material available in multiple languages.
- members work in an increasingly mobile and global society, with fast-growing technology. They want to increase their capacity to respond to these trends, and ensure effective cross-border activities.
- Members want to engage with international agencies such as the World Health Organization, the International Association for Suicide Prevention and the World Federation for Mental Health. They try to take on the important opportunities that have been presented to represent and advocate, using the extensive experience of their combined membership
- VESH looks for opportunities to search with Child Helpline International (CHI, formed in 2003). VESH members recognize that they have many of the same problems with CHI, and also that there may be further opportunities to work together with a 'lifetime' approach.
External links
- Primary Source: Discussion Paper International Emotional Support Helpline [2]
- IFOTES VESH Brochure (PDF)
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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