Jan Vincent Lanuza, News, Communication Management Office
Disclaimer: This article discusses sensitive topics related to mental health and suicide, which may be distressing for some readers. If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek support from a trusted loved one or . If you need further assistance, consider reaching out to the ݮƵOffice of Counseling and Psychological Services (OCPS) at guidance@pup.edu.ph or at 335-1787/335-1777 local 321.
The Office of Counseling and Psychological Services (OCPS) of the ݮƵ (PUP) held a community-based mental health training program for faculty personnel and administrative staff of the entire University system. It was held online on March 7 and at the Claro M. Recto Hall on March 10 to 11.
OCPS Director and event speaker Dr. Rodrigo V. Lopiga stated that its objective was to help facilitators gain understanding about mental health, train them on the delivery of a community-based mental health program (CBMH) who will implement the intervention among service users in need of minor and moderate mental health interventions in the ݮƵcommunity.
“Ito ay intervention program, tinuturo namin sa kanila kung paano ang ‘self-care’, kung paano nila bibigyan ng intervention ang mga cases na mild to moderate cases dahil kaya na ito ng community-based mental health.”
(This is an intervention program where we teach them about ‘self-care’ and how to provide interventions for mild to moderate cases, as these can already be managed through community-based mental health programs.)
When asked about the importance of a mental health support system in the University, Lopiga mentioned “ang mental health, katulad ng physical health, ay napakaimportante. Ang physical health, kapag hindi na-address, lumalala at naco-confine ang isang tao dahil sa sakit. The same with mental health, kapag napabayaan natin ang anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues, maari rin po tayong ma-confine o maari rin tayong madala sa ospital.”
(Mental health, just like physical health, is extremely important. If physical health issues are not addressed, they can worsen, leading to hospitalization. The same goes for mental health—if we neglect anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns, we may also end up being confined or hospitalized.)
The first day of the program discussed the key factors about Mental Health Literacy, introduced Mental Health Screening Tools, provided a platform for deep understanding about mental health and suicide, its protocols, and its screening tool Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), and the principles and ethics in providing Mental, Neurological, and Substance use (MNS) services to individuals.
In the on-site training during the second and third day, Lopiga talked about enhancing the participants’ Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) skills in supportive communication in order to foster a positive, honest, and empathic atmosphere during a psychological intervention, presented interventions such as Mental Health First Aid - Approach Listen Give Encourage Encourage (MHFA - ALGEE) Action Plan and Katatagan Plus to provide psychological assistance to people individuals with mild and moderate cases of mental health distress while facilitating simulation exercises to prepare the attending employees.
Following each lecture during this multi-day seminar, a forum was held where Lopiga and participants discussed their experiences in dealing with individuals experiencing mental health issues while exploring the best possible options in encouraging and comforting them.
When asked about the importance of the training that they have, Doris G. Bleza, Chief for the Client Relations Section of the Human Resource Management Department (HRMD) remarked that not only can she utilize it to her fellow employees, but she has also learned mental health sensitivity practices that she will remember when conversing with her family. Meanwhile, Dr. Ferdie T. Lubis, Chairperson of the Department of Service Physical Education of the College of Human Kinetics (CHK), noted that he plans to use the knowledge that he gained to become a compassionate leader to his co-faculty and be a sympathetic professor to his students.
Vice President for Campuses Prof. Pascualito B. Gatan, as delivered by the Assistant Vice President for Campuses (AVPC) Assoc. Prof. Roseller M. Malabanan, declared that all the attendees are now a part of a vital network and a force for positive change that will be instrumental in creating a healthier and more supportive community in PUP.
“Altogether, let us carry the spirit of this training forward. Let us be champions of mental health and let us work together to build a community where everyone will feel seen, heard, and supported,” Gatan said.
The Community-Based Mental Health Training Program serves as Phase 1 of OCPS’ Mental Health Caravan where the ݮƵCommunity can expect several campus visits and aid them into implementing their mental health training, monitoring actions for the instituted programs and potentially craft a Mental Health Policy in the University in the next subsequent phases.
(Note: English translation generated from AI.)
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