Summary
Counselling Associations
All Professional Bodies, National Associations (e.g. Mental Health, School, Guidance, Addiction, Faith-based etc.) and Accrediting Organisations.
There is not any information about any existing counselling associations in Micronesia identified via research.
Universities and Other Education and Training Institutes
Research did not locate degree programs in counselling available in this country.
Counselling Agencies, Services, Group Practices, Counselling Centres
College of Micronesia- FSM
- Website: http://www.comfsm.fm/?q=guidance-and-counseling
- They provide counselling services to students of the college such as personal care, substance abuse, career guidance, and other services as well.
Background & Context
Per the World Health Organization (WHO; 2017), in 2013 there was one mental health plan that was passed, which also took the form of a law. The WHO (2017) also explains that there were ways for their citizens to seek mental health treatment, but it does not specify where treatment is provided, and it is also unknown how many mental health care professionals there are in the country. It is also not specified when mental health was introduced into the country.
Current Regulatory Status / Level of Recognition:
There are no regulatory bodies for counselling established in Micronesia. However, there is one existing stand-alone law/policy, but it does not specify what it was created for. The stand-alone policy was created by the government, which does not necessarily serve as a regulatory body of mental health practices. The lack of information located about the treatment for mental health indicates a possible lack of recognition this career field has received from the public and from the government.
Practice Settings
Due to the lack of documentation of the counselling profession in the Federated States of Micronesia, the amount of counsellors, psychiatrists, and psychologists that are practicing is unknown. The settings in which counselling services take place are also unknown, aside from the college setting at the College of Micronesia.
Challenges & Trends
Besides the lack of research for the counselling profession in the Federated States of Micronesia, mental illness continues to be perceived as a person being possessed by spirits due to the spiritual and religious beliefs held within the country. These misconceptions make it extremely difficult to gain support for more advanced counselling resources.
Additional Information & References
For a deeper exploration of the counselling profession in the country, interested readers are recommended to read the following journal & website articles:
- World Health Organization (2017). Mental health ATLAS 2017 member state profile. https://www.who.int/mental_health/evidence/atlas/profiles-2017/FSM.pdf?ua=1
Federated States of Micronesia