FAQs

FAQ's

What is the Mercy Ministries programme?
Who can come?
What is the length/duration of programme?
How bad/severe do I need to be to come into the programme?
What is the age range?
What costs are involved?
Do you have to be a Christian/religious/go to church to come to Mercy Ministries?
What method of counselling is used at Mercy Ministries?
Can I complete University studies while I’m at Mercy Ministries?
What and when do I eat?
What if I am a vegetarian, vegan etc?
What if I’m already on a dietician set meal plan?
What happens if I need to see a Doctor?
Can I come if I am on medication?
What about seeing a specialist for different issues?
What about seeing a Dietician?
What are the recreational activities?
Do I get to go out?
When do I get to see my family/friends?
Mail?
Phone calls?
What happens when I finish the programme?

What is the Mercy Ministries programme?
Mercy Ministries runs a six month residential programme for young women aged between 16 and 28 years with life controlling issues. The areas that we cater for include: eating disorders, issues relating to past abuse, addictions, unplanned pregnancy, self-harm, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts. There is a structured weekly routine which includes activities such as:

Personal development and life skills classes
Individual counselling and therapy
Group counselling
Health and fitness
Practical household duties
Church attendance
Shopping and recreation

Mercy Ministries is for young women who have a strong desire to bring about change in their lives. As a non coersive programme Mercy Ministries respects the right of each individual to make decisions about their own life. Mercy Ministries openly acknowledges that the programme offered is based on Christian principles Should an applicant choose to accept a place at Mercy Ministries they are asked to participate in all aspects of the programme.

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Who can come?
Young women 16 to 28 years with a strong desire to change their lives. Entry to the programme is voluntary – that is, young women make their own choice to come to Mercy Ministries. Once in the programme, they are expected to participate in all aspects of the programme.

The areas that we cater for include: eating disorders, issues relating to past abuse, addictions, unplanned pregnancy, self-harm, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts.

An individual care plan is developed for each young woman. This includes access to health professionals including a Dietitian, GP and specialists. Mercy Ministries is committed to assisting with family restoration where appropriate and possible.

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What is the length/duration of programme?
The average stay in the programme is six to nine months. We ask that young women are committed to at least this amount of time.

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How bad/severe do I need to be to come into the programme?
Admission to the programme is not based primarily on the severity of the issue, but the applicants strong desire for change in their lives. We acknowledge that a residential programme will not be the appropriate response for all young women and as such will refer to other services as necessary.

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What is the age range?
The age range is 16 to 28 years.

A young woman may apply if she is under 16, however entry would only be possible once turned 16.

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What costs are involved?
There is no cost for the programme. However residents need to be able to pay for their weekly personal shopping and medical costs. These personal costs can be covered independently or through a sponsor that the resident has identified (can be family member/friend/church).

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Do you have to be a Christian/religious/go to church to come to Mercy Ministries?

Mercy Ministries openly acknowledges that the programme offered is based on Christian principles and includes related activities such as attending church, devotions (bible reading and reflective time) and worship (singing Christian songs). While applicants do not need to be Christian to participate in the programme, it is important that they consider this element when applying. We ask that residents are open to hearing about God and the way He can help a person overcome different life issues.

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What method of counselling is used at Mercy Ministries?

Mercy Ministries Counsellors work holistically with residents and draw on a wide range of therapeutic modalities, including IDT (Interactive Drawing Therapy), CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), Narrative Therapy, and Trauma Therapy.
Residents work through stages of counselling process based on Christian principles which includes topics such as forgiveness, resolving past hurts, family issues, and thought patterns, as well as issues specifically related to what the young women are experiencing

All residents set goals for what they’d like to achieve through their time at Mercy Ministries.

Residents also participate in group counselling on a weekly basis.

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Can I complete University studies while I”m at Mercy Ministries?
Generally we encourage young women to defer their studies while they are in the programme. Universities have a programme where you can defer studies due to special circumstances.

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What and when do I eat?

Meal Plans are developed by the Household Manager in conjunction with the Dietitian. All residents eat three meals a day, with additional snacks for morning and afternoon tea, and supper. Residents who require individualised meal plans (those with disordered eating and heath issues) meet monthly with the Dietitian who develops this with them.

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What if I am a vegetarian, vegan etc?
Mercy Ministries operates a set meal plan designed to enusre a healthy diet for the residents. While some meals have a vegetarian option, generally the meals include meat. Residents are required to eat the meals that are set.

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What if I’m already on a dietician set meal plan?

Mercy Ministries will liaise with community dietitians to ensure a smooth transition for residents into the programme.
New residents will meet with the Mercy Ministries dietitian to tailor the set meal plans to their individual needs.

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What happens if I need to see a Doctor?
Mercy Ministries arranges mediacal appointments for residents as and when required.

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Can I come if I am on medication?
The programme works with young women who are on medication. This is monitored by the Doctor.

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What about seeing a specialist for different issues?
Specialist appointments for residents are arranged as requested. This may include seeing a physiotherapist, psychiatrist etc.

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What about seeing a Dietitian?
Residents who are dealing with eating and health related issues speak with the dietitian monthly.

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What are the recreational activities?
Residents participate in set fitness activities three days a week. This includes strength training, boxing classes, bush/beach walks, team sports

Onsite recreational activities include swimmng, volleyball, badminton, petanque. Residents also particapate in other interests such as music, dance,art, scrap-booking, and card making

Some residents are on fitness restrictions due to their health. This is determined on an individual basis.

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Do I get to go out?
Mercy Ministries has organised activities where all residents go out. This includes spending an afternoon at the shops, recreational activities, going to church and other activities from time to time.

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When do I get to see my family/friends?
Weekend leave is encouraged every 4 to 6 weeks. In this time you spend time with family and friends.

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Mail?

Residents can receive emails and mail each day. Emails can be sent in the weekends

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Phone calls?
Generally phone calls are made and received on the weekends, however family are asked to call at anytime should a significant situation arise which involves/affects a resident.

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What happens when I finish the programme?

Mercy Ministries provides a Transitional Care Programme which commences up to eight weeks prior to graduation. This programme starts by assisting the resident with finding accomodation, vocational guidance, budgeting, support structures and continues for twelve months following their graduation. An accountability mentor will also be identified in the graduates community to provide further follow up and support for the graduate.