Creating a space for psychosocial support in Namibia

Running a welfare organisation is not easy, as there is always something new being introduced or a constant search for funding, although Nicolette Bessinger, the director of Lifeline Childline (LLCL), makes it look easy.

Nicolette Bessinger has 25 years’ of experience when it comes to working with non-governmental organisations (NGO) and was officially appointed as the director of Lifeline Childline in January 2018.

Lifeline Childline is an NGO that provides free counselling services, either face to face or telephonic via their toll-free numbers 116 and 106. They also offer community-based facilitation.

This is an organisation that Bessinger is very passionate about as she is a big advocate of mental health and spearheading an organisation that provides psychosocial support brings her much joy.

Bessinger has a few achievements that she would like to attain for LLCL to become financially sustainable. “I can only say thank you to all the different partners that contribute financially to the organisation enabling us to deliver our services,” said Bessinger. Furthermore she mentioned that they own property under LLCL, so if they can get partners to assist in developing this property into a financially viable entity that generates its own income, “then I have contributed to the future of the organisation and continue to support and contribute to the mental wellness of our communities”.

Bessinger enjoys engaging with partners in developing and fostering strategic interventions that could benefit LLCL. “Engagement with stakeholders and sometimes outside the comfort of my workplace, interacting with people, is one of my key contributions to ensure LLCL is recognised and known to the public,” said Bessinger.

The direct support services delivered to individuals is very satisfactory. “To be associated to these successes made possible by the teams gives me a very rewarding feeling and being appreciated by steering this ship,” said Bessinger.

She further stated that psychosocial support is a very important aspect in her life, which is why she associates herself with LLCL because of this valuable contribution it can make in the lives of so many Namibians.

Furthermore she also enjoys the fact that she is tasked to execute the strategic plan, which is her guiding document to be on track and also keeping management and everyone else on track within the organisation. That way she is able to make sure that the organisation runs smoothly.

What differentiates LLCL from any other organisation is that it is home to two toll-free numbers - the Gender-Based Violence Helpline 106 and the Childline Helpline 116 - and the counselling services are free.

Lifeline Childline also provides positive parenting classes which are offered through the community-based facilitation. “It is the entry point for so many people out there to have a conversation with a counsellor to and to be assisted and guided to get back on track,” said Bessinger.

Bessinger sees a bright future for LLCL as they are now recognised as a child care and protection agency, meaning they are able to deal with cases all the way up to statutory level, as they have been registered under the ministry of gender equality, poverty eradication and social welfare. “I can only thank the ministry for their confidence in the organisation to be awarded such certification,” said Bessinger. In the past LLCL was not able to deal with statutory level cases and always had to refer to the different relevant ministries, so the future of LLCL definitely looks great as they will be able to branch out.

“When we have all our standing operating procedures in place we can take on cases from lawyers, individuals, the ministry, etcetera, at a cost to sustain the counselling interventions,” said Bessinger.

“Should we be in a position to generate more income, it would help us to establish more offices in other regions and pay incentives to volunteers to support the different ministries whom we work with.”

Bessinger said this new recognition could put them in a position where they are able to generate more income, which could be used to establish more offices in other regions giving them the opportunity to have a wider reach when it comes to clients, also to pay incentives to volunteers to support the different ministries whom they work for.

Bessinger stressed that it is very important to take care of your mental health as this could benefit you very much in the long run. She further mentioned that they deliver a very important service, which is positively contributing to someone else’s wellbeing. “We need to constantly reach out and engage with our partners and stakeholders who supports us in facilitating our mission. Let us all join hands and encourage the community out there to seek help, to break the barriers of stigma towards counselling and talking more about emotional issues.”

Fun Facts about Bessinger

1. My grandson gives me so much joy.

2. Join in with a dance (although I am not a good dancer) at an event.

3. I enjoy camping with my family.

4. Love to cheer at a sports game, especially when my sons play rugby.

5. Baking cakes when I get time and decorating them with my son.

6. Love spending time with my husband.

7. Strong advocate for mental health.

8. Enjoys a very good laugh.

9. Enjoys spending time with family.

10. Loves cake decorating.