The Socio-Educational Department focuses on the prevention of mental health problems for children and youth at risk. Prevention services aim at assisting children and youth before they get into trouble, taking into consideration that they have been defined by their teachers and parents as at risk. Through academic support and mentoring, as well as through participating in awareness groups, children and youth meet once a week and receive hands-on assistance and guidance from social workers, special education counselors and university volunteers. Psychologists and social workers work with these groups modeling the specific activities according to the needs of the groups, avoiding thus imposition of topics and contents. Complementary to the work with children and youth, awareness raising among the community at large is seen as an integral part of prevention. PCC believes that it is imperative to work with the immediate environment of children and youth such as their families, parents and the general community in order to increase awareness on mental health issues and disorders. This work is conducted through neighborhood discussion groups, lectures, panel discussions, using media outlets (well-known local media outlets reaching Palestinians throughout the West Bank and Gaza), and publications.

Non-Formal Education Program:

The Non-Formal Education Program aims to create a healthy environment where children with learning difficulties are stimulated to learn through experimental and interactive learning. Through this program, children ages 6 – 11 with learning difficulties are able to learn in a learning friendly and fun environment. Through this program children will be able to enjoy their time in the classroom, their self esteem and self-confidence will increase. Ultimately, these children will perform better in school and will be encouraged to continue their education. Children's needs are perceived holistically, and each child is approached according to his /her needs. The program is complimentary to the school and is administered in the afternoon, after the school day. Children taking part in the activities meet twice a week for two hour intervals each time.

In addition, the PCC works with teachers in order to incorporate in their teaching creative tools and develop proper educational tools for students who suffer from learning difficulties. Teachers develop teaching methods and techniques through practical and hands-on work (with children's groups). Teachers also improve their capacities in planning, monitoring and implementation of non-formal education activities in the classroom. Moreover, they are able identify, in the classroom, students that are in need of further professional services and know how and where to refer them.

Youth at Risk Program:

The Youth at Risk Program is a preventive one and targets Palestinian youth ages 12-18, coming from impoverished socio-economic backgrounds. The youth involved show risk indicators (risk of getting in trouble). This program aims to help them crystallize their identity, have more self-cohesion and answer partially the question "who am I?" and "How do I serve my community ".

Through this program the PCC works with groups of youth to provide them with information and hands-on activities as a means to prevent negative actions that affect their lives such as early marriage, school drop out, drugs, child labor, among other issues. It is through this approach that the PCC intends to build capacities of the different groups so that they take control of their lives and play a role in the decision making process on individual, institutional and policy-making levels. Youth groups meet once a week for three hour sessions per meeting. Sessions focus on awareness raising on youth issues followed by guidance and hands on work (working groups) to tackle issues that are considered priority to youth. In this context, the topics of discussion and debate include: importance of communications followed by hands-on activities and discussions, how to deal with internal and external (peer) pressures, problem solving, critical thinking, the importance of planning, the importance of social relations and the right to education, the importance of time management (school and work), period of adolescence, the impacts of decisions on their lives, and the importance and priority of education.

Big Brother – Big Sister Program:

The Big Brother-Big Sister Program aims to work with children with special needs - children from marginalized areas, 'broken homes', and children with psychological, social and learning difficulties receive support (buddy system) to improve their level of functioning and to avoid negative behavior. This activity has a three-fold goal: to provide role models in the life of children considered at risk, to promote and revive volunteerism in Palestinian society, and finally to orient young volunteers to community needs.

Through this program, the PCC pairs (twinned) children with university students (one-to-one). The volunteers selected for these activities remain with the children selected for a full academic year. Volunteers continue to work with children with special needs through weekly visits (two hours each visit) that include providing the children with moral and academic support as well as outings and recreational activities. This activity supports the spirit of volunteerism among youth (university students) allowing them to be in service to Palestinian society including being a role model for a child in need of moral and academic support.

Community Awareness Raising Program:

The Community Awareness Raising Program works on two levels. The first level focuses directly on parents and community members increase their knowledge of mental health issues and disorders. Families with loved ones who suffer from mental health problems and disorders are able to deal with them in a better way, are knowledgeable about the symptoms, what services are available and what they can do to improve their overall condition. This is implemented through lectures and group discussions that provide a space to those interested and motivated to organize themselves and formulate their own agenda geared towards social mobilization, as well as increase the awareness of the community on mental health issues.

The second level aims to reach as many people as possible, especially those in remote areas, through media campaigns, providing people with information and guidance regarding mental health disorders. The main theme throughout the campaigns is mental health disorders, its definition, the wrong perception of mental health, the importance of mental well-being and how to access mental health services. The population throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip are exposed to information on mental health issues, thus increasing their overall awareness. It is expected that with this increased knowledge communities will start changing their attitudes and perceptions on mental health problems and disorders. Also it is expected that through this knowledge people in the target communities will be more open to look for counseling services and additional help.

The Onion, A Symbol for the Palestinian Counseling Center !

The Onion was chosen as a symbol for the center because it signifies the individual. From a cursory look at people we can only see the outer skin of individuals. However, if we want to delve deeply into a person's character we have to peel the layers of skin and feelings to see a whole outlook for the individual. This process might prove to be painful for some. The onion can also represent the root of things, and it also signifies cultivation in Palestinian Folklore.