JOAN Habkouk will be 25 in June. It's only two years since she completed the Mercy Ministries' program, but it's a lifetime away from where she was.
The Castle Hill woman had battled eating disorders, depression and self-harm since she was 14.
"I had tried the public health system and counsellors, but none were beneficial," Ms Habkouk said.
Although the 11-month Mercy Ministries program was hard, now she can look back at it through enlightened eyes.
"It was absolutely the best time of my life," she said.
"You are dealing with the root issues of your life, so it's hard to face things like that but I am now living a life that is completely different and free.
"Before I went, I was ashamed of my life. I was taught I did have worth and value and I was beautiful, and that was a turning point for me. Now it is evident in the way I am living and just getting on with life and loving it."
The program helps young women overcome life-controlling issues such as self-harm, substance abuse, sexual abuse and eating disorders. But it's not for everyone.
The residential program in Glenhaven is regimented and disciplined, something director Peter Irvine doesn't deny. But its 95 per cent success rate should not be overlooked, he said, and residents come voluntarily.
"They have to want to come in. You can't help anyone who doesn't want to be helped," he said.
"Our approach is holistic, addressing the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of young women aged 16 to 28. If it's an eating disorder, a dietician develops a healthy diet for them. If it's abuse or self-harm, we have qualified counsellors and they will have one counselling session every day.
"They have plenty of free time; they go shopping once a week, they have to go to their doctor. If they don't have one, we have a doctor they can go to and a staff member will go with them. They are in our care so we have responsibility for them.
"The first four to six weeks are the toughest but after that, they are generally starting to settle down and address the issues.
"We try to get work experience for them in something they would like. Some have gone back to university and are topping their year."
Mr Irvine, a Hillsong attendee who denies any other affiliation with the charismatic church, said the program was Christian-based. Since it began, about 97 girls have attended.
"A lot of the accusations [in the Sydney Morning Herald's recent coverage] were that we lock them in their rooms but there are no locks on the doors," Mr Irvine said.
"The girls feel safe and we are happy for people to come and talk to the girls there. We do have to ask a few to leave the program but it is after a lengthy warning cycle. A handful have wanted to leave because they found it too tough but then some have asked to come back."
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment