Volunteers of In Touch Foundation, we are told (Veritas, April 21), have completed a training course which started last November. Under the most generous assumptions, e.g., full-time study from November to April, the training would be roughly equivalent to one semester of academic work.

Armed with this modicum of training, these volunteers are expected to counsel (over the phone, no less) people going through personal problems, including those so overwhelming as to arouse thoughts of suicide.

Let me say that if I needed counseling, I wouldn’t go to a counselor with no more than a semester’s training.

Inn Touch Foundation should distinguish between a professional service that is given free and a service that is given free because it is non-professional.

Mrs. Valerie Rhoda shouldn’t advertise her service as "crisis counseling." A more appropriate ad would read:

"Wanted, phone pals, preferably with personal problems."
 

CARLOTA SALVADOR