By Marie Tonette Marticio
TACLOBAN City – In an effort to help their province mates cope with the mental stress caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic Department of Social Work professors of the Leyte Normal University have been providing psycho-social support (PSS) programs to these affected persons.
Eva Jocson, a registered social worker, said the activity was in support of the initiative of the National Association for Social Work Education Inc. (NASWEI)
"We volunteered to provide PSS or psychological first aid for those who are anxious, stressed, having depression, among others because of COVID-19 and other personal and family concerns," she shared.
She said the consultations were being done either through mobile phone or online.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), PSS is a human supportive and practical assistance to fellow human beings who are suffering from a serious stressor which includes the COVID-19 pandemic.
The activity could be facilitated or provided by a trained practitioner, like registered social workers, during emergency response operations.
"Although everyone is affected in some way by these events, there is a wide range of reactions and feelings each person can have. Many people may feel overwhelmed, confused or very uncertain about what is happening. They can feel very fearful or anxious, or numb and detached. Some people may have mild reactions, whereas others may have more severe reactions," she explained.