“Kompasset” showing the way

Published: 20.12.11

This year, Omega’s Christmas present will be given to the Norwegian Blue Cross’ project “Kompasset” (the Compass), which helps young people who suffer under their parents' alcohol abuse.

• Instead of giving Christmas presents to its employees, Omega has supported community projects since 2003
• Omega chooses each project for a three-year period and supports the project with one million kroner over three years
• Since 2009, Omega has supported Norwegian Blue Cross' youth project; "Kompasset" - the Compass
• "Kompasset" is a low-threshold offer for people between 14 and 35 years who are affected by alcohol abuse in the family
• Today there are four "Kompasset" centers in Norway, in Sandnes, Bergen, Oslo and Trondheim
• In 2011 the project changed its name from TUBA to "Kompasset"

Instead of giving Christmas presents to its employees, Omega has supported Norwegian Blue Cross’ youth project “Kompasset” – the Compass, (previously “TUBA” ) for the past three years. In this way, all of Omega’s employees have contributed to help young people growing up in families struggling with alcohol abuse, by allowing them access to the guidance they need to get their lives back on track.

Forget themselves

“Kompasset” is an offer whereby anyone between 14 and 35 years of age can receive help from experienced therapists and psychologists via individual or group therapy, counseling or sessions focusing on the consequences of growing up with alcohol abuse.

“Young people who experience a parent’s alcohol abuse have a lifelong project; to make mom and dad stop drinking. They become more focused on taking care of others, and forget themselves. They need help to refocus on their own lives again, relationships with friends, school and the other important things in life. Through “Kompasset” they find a place where all the help is only meant for them," says project coordinator in Norwegian Blue Cross, Georg Kayser.

High demand

With Omega's help, “Kompasset” has established two new centers in Norway this year. “Kompasset” started in Norway in 2009 with the opening of its first center in Bergen. In 2010 “Kompasset” in Sandnes was established, and this August centers in Oslo and Trondheim were opened.

The four centers have had more than 300 inquiries, and considering the fact that two offices were only opened this fall, it is clear there Kompasset's services are in high demand.

“Eighty per cent of those who have contacted us do not have parents who have been in touch with other health services regarding abuse problems. This shows that we have managed to reach out directly to these young people in the way we intended. There are few other offers directed only towards this group and to them only,” Kayser points out.

Focus on their own life

The treatment has had a good effect on those who have received help at “Kompasset”, says Kayser.

“None of the young people who come to see us want to be like their parents. But they carry social baggage, and have many things to straighten out regarding their own self image and identity. With the right kind of help they learn to focus on themselves, set limits, release themselves from their parents and take care of their own lives.”

During 2011 two leaders of “Kompasset’s” centers have focused on the project’s work through chronicles in the media. Here you can read both chronicles in Adressavisen and Aftenposten. (Norwegian only.)