How Jésica, 25, discovered emotional help and found Christ
A free psychological counseling program sponsored by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Brazil is helping people find hope amidst crisis—and new life in Jesus Christ.
Ouvido Amigo, or “Friendly Ear,” offers “support in a time of crisis” via its website. Those in need are connected with professionals who provide counseling and also to spiritual resources aimed at helping. Some 45 professionals volunteer to staff the program and have already fielded more than 2,000 calls for help and counseling.
The Women’s Ministries department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in South America sponsors Ouvido Amigo, which grew out of concern for people’s well-being during the global coronavirus pandemic.
One recent beneficiary is a 25-year-old beauty professional named Jéssica Evelyn. She struggled with episodes of panic and anxiety attacks, as well as depression. She couldn’t afford private counseling, but found hope when her aunt suggested Ouvido Amigo.
“Private therapy’s cost was very high and I had never found a professional who understood me or made me feel good after a session,” says Jéssica.
Psychologist Rosely Duarte accepted the young woman as a patient. From the first session, Jéssica felt welcomed, and that Duarte helped with the issues she faced. The counseling led Jéssica to explore her own spirituality, attend some virtual evangelistic meetings, and make a public decision to follow Christ through baptism.
“My first appointment was so inexplicable that I even breathed easier,” Jéssica recalled. “With each session, I felt better, because I was able to control myself, and spiritually I felt strengthened. That was when, for the first time in my entire church life, I felt God's call for baptism,” she added.
Although raised in a Seventh-day Adventist home, Jéssica was never baptized as a youngster. She ended up leaving the Church during her teenage years, but felt a need to return to God during her emotional crises. The Ouvido Amigo counseling played a significant role in that return, she said.
“It was when I made a promise to God and to myself that I would pray every night, and to reject worldliness. My decision, I believe, was planned by God. My testimony now is very strong and He knew that I needed to go through the pain to feel the need to place my life in His hands,” she recalls.
Soon, the young woman will start Bible studies with a pastor in the region where she lives, in the interior of Brazil’s São Paulo state. Because of the new coronavirus, she believes the meetings will take place by video calls.
Long-distance relief
The Friendly Ear brings together volunteer professionals who offer free psychological help to people who sign up. Despite being an emotional support, during the conversation, the people assisted talk about various aspects of their life, such as religion, and come to their own conclusions.
“The relevance of the project is accentuated not only by the opportunity you offer to people who are in crisis or who might not be able to seek psychological help but because of the moment of distress and insecurity about the present and the future. In addition, Ouvido Amigo offers professionals the experience of volunteering,” said Denise Lopes, head of the initiative in the southern region of Brazil. “These professionals are not talking about religion in care, because they are focused on the person's reality. However, their words can be said in a more subtle manner, as they have hope.”
Clinical psychologist and family therapist Duarte, who helped Jéssica, welcomed the opportunity to serve: “In this pandemic moment, I understand that welcoming and qualified listening to human suffering is very necessary. People are at home, many are not financially able, many are afraid of the virus. They would need something very much to be able to express their feelings. This motivated me to participate. I am very happy and grateful for this project.”
Each Adventist Church area in the division has its service methods structured according to need and availability. In the South of Brazil, the site ouvamigo.com.br was created to receive these requests.
“I consider myself a different person than when it all started. Finding professional and free help in this situation where many people are getting sick due to psychological illnesses because they have no one to talk to, I think it is a miracle and a blessing that people can have access to this support for free,” said Jéssica.
This article was originally published on the South American Division’s Portuguese news site