More spin from Pinnoch ...Mr Irvine and a message of Tough Love

Thanks to Lance for bringing this one to my attention.

Jo Arblaster, writes in the Hills News, "The sky's the limit - Mercy Ministries' success stories".

I am going to look at this story piece by piece, so bare with me.

 

JOAN Habkouk will be 25 in June. It's only two years since she completed the Mercy Ministries' program, but it's a lifetime away from where she was.

The Castle Hill woman had battled eating disorders, depression and self-harm since she was 14.

"I had tried the public health system and counsellors, but none were beneficial," Ms Habkouk said.

Although the 11-month Mercy Ministries program was hard, now she can look back at it through enlightened eyes.

"It was absolutely the best time of my life," she said.

This is excellent news, Hillsong... I mean Mercy has been able to find one successful graduate.  Congrats to Joan.  What I want to know is the secret of their success the numbers, the stats so that we can export this to the rest of the health care sector.

 

"You are dealing with the root issues of your life, so it's hard to face things like that but I am now living a life that is completely different and free.

"Before I went, I was ashamed of my life. I was taught I did have worth and value and I was beautiful, and that was a turning point for me. Now it is evident in the way I am living and just getting on with life and loving it."

The program helps young women overcome life-controlling issues such as self-harm, substance abuse, sexual abuse and eating disorders. But it's not for everyone.

Is that all it takes to get over an eating disorder love and positive reinforcement.  Excellent , lets have a look at you program, why not publish it for everyone to see.

 

The residential program in Glenhaven is regimented and disciplined, something director Peter Irvine doesn't deny. But its 95 per cent success rate should not be overlooked, he said, and residents come voluntarily.

"They have to want to come in. You can't help anyone who doesn't want to be helped," he said.

"Our approach is holistic, addressing the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of young women aged 16 to 28. If it's an eating disorder, a dietician develops a healthy diet for them. If it's abuse or self-harm, we have qualified counsellors and they will have one counselling session every day.

Residents come voluntarily?  Okay you have got poor women who can't afford expensive treatment programs (because they employ specialists and qualified staff) coming to a facility that is advertised as free, but that isn't.  You don't try and coerce of convince them with happy looking models and a flashy website?  These are a women crying out for help with severe psychological issues and you paint them as everyday Jane's with their wits about them.

 

Oh and this magic 95% success rate.  Where are you pulling your stats from what does this number refer to.  Its meaningless.

They have to want to change?  More blame shifting, its not the programs fault its the girls

Oh and all we need to beat Bullemia is a dietician.  Qualified counsellors?  Why not publish their names and qualifications- - so that they can be independently verified.

 

"They have plenty of free time; they go shopping once a week, they have to go to their doctor. If they don't have one, we have a doctor they can go to and a staff member will go with them. They are in our care so we have responsibility for them.

"The first four to six weeks are the toughest but after that, they are generally starting to settle down and address the issues.

"We try to get work experience for them in something they would like. Some have gone back to university and are topping their year."

You make it sound like a holiday camp.  Again we have general statements but no reports no hard figures.

You know some of the survivors have gone back to Uni despite your program.  Are you claiming the individuals success as your own now. 

Mr Irvine, a Hillsong attendee who denies any other affiliation with the charismatic church, said the program was Christian-based. Since it began, about 97 girls have attended.

"A lot of the accusations [in the Sydney Morning Herald's recent coverage] were that we lock them in their rooms but there are no locks on the doors," Mr Irvine said.

"The girls feel safe and we are happy for people to come and talk to the girls there. We do have to ask a few to leave the program but it is after a lengthy warning cycle. A handful have wanted to leave because they found it too tough but then some have asked to come back."

And yes we have Peter admitting he is a hillsong member at last,  but that he's just a pleb.

As to locks on doors I think you may find that comment was taken out of context.  

So you are happy to have the media speak to the girls.  I am sure that with the threat of expulsion and the fear of god instilled in them they wouldn't put a foot out of step.  It's disgusting that you would even suggest parading girls in treatment on National TV.  But then you do that on Gloria Jeans day and when you take them to church.

Oh and then we have more blame shifting.  The program being too tough, warning cycles more words thrown out, that say nothing.

I love your idea of helping people Mr Irvine - tough love hey.

Maybe the women should join the Armed forces, at least they'd get better healthcare.

 

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