By: Wisdom Paula B. Javier, MHPSS volunteer

University of the Philippines Los Baños Ugnayan ng Pahinungód and Department of Human and Family Development Studies (DHFDS) conducted a Psychological First Aid (PFA) virtual training for teachers of Dayap National Integrated High School (DNIHS), via Zoom, last September 29, 2021.

Fifty-nine teachers participated in the 3-hour activity as part of the school’s “Brigada Eskwela” program. With this year’s Brigada theme “Bayanihan sa Paaralan”, the school partnered with Pahinungód and DHFDS to prepare and boost the morale of the teachers as they face a new academic year.

“This seminar embodies love and care for everyone. Ang Psychological First Aid is designed to help people with stress, confusion, fear, and hopeless[ness],” Dr. Socorro R. Fundivilla, Principal IV of DNIHS asserted, highlighting the importance of the seminar for the teaching personnel.

Assistant Professors Nepthaly Joel B. Botor and Raphael M. Ferrer of DHFDS served as the training’s resource speakers on topics focused on Individual Resilience and Mental Health, and Psychological First Aid, respectively.

Mr. Kevin Christian E. Cauntay, the Guidance and Counselling Coordinator of Dayap served as the school’s focal person. Assistant Principal Reynante S. Aningalan on the other hand, graced the program and delivered the opening remarks. 

The training was also in time for the celebration of World Teachers’ Day held last October 05, 2021 where the significance of teachers as academic frontliners was stressed.

“This training reaffirmed that the nature of teachers are as carers – caring for their students, for their colleagues,” Ms. May Kathleen T. Montenegro, the overall event coordinator, stated. “But the training also emphasized the importance of individual resilience and how it is important in securing and caring for oneself to be able to extend help to others,” she added.

The Director of UPLB Ugnayan ng Pahinungód, Mr. Jose Limbay Lahi O. Espaldon delivered the closing remarks.

“Natututo tayo sa ating mga estudyante, nalalaman natin kung ano ang mga pinagdadaanan nila. Mas naiintindihan natin sila. Continuous learning po, para sa ating mga estudyante, para sa ating komunidad, para sa mga katrabaho natin,” Director Espaldon expressed, emphasizing the importance of practicing PFA and continuous learning to the participants.

Ms. Montenegro, along with the nine Pahinungód volunteers who underwent a month-long course on mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) under the same resource speakers earlier this year helped in facilitating the training. As one of the community development program coordinators of UPLB Pahinungód, Ms. Montenegro affirmed that this will not be the last of MHPSS activities of the University’s flagship volunteer service program.
“The training was part of the extension activities of Pahinungód in providing mental health and psychosocial support services to communities. Pahinungód is planning and is open to give out similar and related MHPSS activities to other community partners as well,” she said.