The Island has far to go when it comes to the stigma associated with seeking counselling, according to the Women’s Resource Centre.

“Speak to somebody, let someone know if there’s anything going on,” said Patrice Frith Hayward, the executive director of the centre. “It bothers me, the fact that people are afraid to come and seek help.

“If someone were to ask what keeps me awake at night, that would be one of them.”

The centre, dedicated to supporting and empowering local women, also offers women’s counselling. It addresses all women’s issues, with the exception of domestic violence and sexual assault, which fall under the purview of the Centre Against Abuse. Like other helping agencies, the WRC has observed the toll of economic hardship on its clients.

“We have noticed, over the past year and a half, that between 60 and 75 per cent of clients are not able to meet the fee of $40 per session for counselling,” Ms Frith Hayward said.

“Our counsellors are not volunteers, Having said that, we turn no one away, especially if they say they can’t afford it.

“To that end, we have great support from donors who give specifically to pay for this service to our clients.”

She said it was “crucial” for women to understand that a place existed for them to turn in times of need. Any issue, from eating disorders to parenting or depression, can either be addressed by the centre or referred to an agency that can help.

Asked if clients were more inclined nowadays to talk about their problems, Ms Frith Hayward said: “Yes and no. There are people out there who need help but are still in a place where they are afraid. It’s a small community and they don’t necessarily have the trust level required.

“They don’t know our level of confidentiality and professionalism until they come here.

“We sometimes have clients who are at their wit’s end. Fear stops them from coming. Once they do, they are OK; it’s a matter of getting them in the door.

“We have a lot of people say they can’t believe they’re coming here; they think that because they’re coming here they are going crazy. We need to change that, to remove that stigma.”

Along with counselling, the WRC provides seminars, workshops and legal advice. The centre recently started Girls Inspired, a programme offering leadership and development to middle school girls.

The aim, Ms Frith Hayward said, was to become more proactive in their services, rather than treating problems after the fact.

Asked if she had one message for the Island’s women, she said: “For them to get to know their own value — to know that they can be and do anything. To make healthy choices, without having to feel that they have to follow the crowd.”

• In an earlier article, Patrice Frith Hayward was inadvertently described as the executive director of the Centre Against Abuse. The Royal Gazette apologises for the error.