**3.4 Female lay counselor, 27 years old**

Because of marital problems gone out of control, the 27 years old woman separated from the husband. The husband was a heavy user of alcohol, and in his drunken state, he fought the woman every night. For safety reasons the woman and her three children used the food store as their bedroom. Consequently, there was no sexual relationship between her and the man. After her separation, the husband married two more wives. Following the training, the woman helped her family by talking to the husband resulting into reconciliation. She herself accepted the reality of life with two co-wives. The woman reported that the training she received benefited her because she had become important in her community, solving community and family problems. Although she had been suicidal prior to the training, the woman no longer felt the urge to die by suicide. The most important achievement she made was that she established liaison with the police department in her parish so that individuals that attempted suicide did not have to face prosecution. Instead, suicide attempters received referral to the Regional Referral Hospital where mental health professionals practiced.
