To prevent or treat mental disorder and protect and promote psychosocial well-being of individuals, the Department of Health-CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) on Monday conducted the 2nd batch of “Training on Mental Health & Psychosocial Support” for guidance counsellor, nurses of the Department of Education personnel, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology personnel.
“MHPSS is a significant tool used in situation of violence, crisis, emergency and during armed conflicts to prevent psychological distress,” said Regional Director Eduardo Janairo.
He noted that the incidence of psychological problems is growing in situations where there are calamities like earthquake and typhoon and where there are violence not only on the road, but also in school.
He said the incidence of “bullying” in schools had a big effect on students-victims due to their daily exposure in this kind of violence.
“They have fears and they lost the desire to go to school. Sometimes, there were incidence of committing suicide,” he said.
Janairo emphasized that exposure to violence, loss of or separation from a loved one, friend or relative, and poverty can affect the well-being of a person, his/her family and the community which he/she resides.
The MHPSS training aims to provide mental health interventions to improve psychosocial well-being of a person by reducing the levels of psychological stress, improving daily functions, and ensure effective coping strategies.
According to Dr. Evamarie Torio, Medical Officer IV, one of the training officer of the activity who conducted the processing and debriefing session, said that every person who experienced a critical incident in his/her life must undergo a structured voluntary discussion aimed at putting an abnormal event into perspective.
“It offers an individual clarity into an incident that happened in their life and debriefing will assist them to establish a process for recovery.”
“A critical incident is any event or series of events that is sudden, overwhelming and life threatening that may have long-time effect to the person. This may include an assault, behavioral incident, threats, severe injury, death and fire.”
“Symptoms include shock, denial, anger, confusion, sadness, fear, humiliation and grief. Others include restlessness, fatigue, frustration, guilt, sleep and eating disruption and loss of interest,” she added.