There are turbulent times ahead for Bermudian students, with the introduction of the new school system.

And those with social and emotional difficulties face an even harder time in adjusting. That's why the Learning Centre aims at prevention, said its director, Martha Dismont, yesterday.

She said the programme wanted to get help to those students before "they become cases that are impossible to fix''.

Ms Dismont added this was what happened to a lot of the children committing violent crimes now.

"These children had problems ten years ago but their issues were never addressed,'' she said.

But there was hope, she continued.

"If we or any other organisation are to be successful, we must address the issues children are experiencing now and get them back on track.

"This will become a blueprint and open up ways to help teenagers who have passed this point.'' This was why she wanted to share the work the Learning Centre was doing, she continued.

"It has to happen or Bermuda is in for a rough road to the year 2000.'' The organisation has launched a two-pronged attack on the problem.

Ms Dismont said the recently completed summer programme worked with 26 young people who were referred to the centre because of various social and emotional problems.

The pilot therapeutical programme worked at creating a safe and nurturing environment which helped counsellors get at the issues which were bothering the children, causing them to feel neglected or to be angry or depressed.

It was important to realise, she stressed, these children were not necessarily from troubled homes, they were normal children with emotional baggage.

The second phase of the programme, due to start soon, will involve full time "outreach workers'' who would act as "interim advocates'' for the children.

These workers would work with parents to help them understand their children's problems and needs and would help parents hook up with the necessary agencies whose services their children might require.

In essence, continued Ms Dismont, the counsellors would provide a role model for the parents until the child was ready to go on his or her way.

At this point, coaches would provide support where needed.

It was not so much a case of "sparing the rod and spoiling the child'', she stressed, but providing a structure that engaged the student and gave them a sense of responsibility.

Ms Dismont said the organisation was now on a drive to raise funds as the second phase of their therapy would cost in the region of $220,000 -- largely because of the skilled people who were going to be hired to fill the positions of counsellors.

And quite often the child needing the most help came from a family who could not afford it.

So cash is needed for the group's scholarship programme.