In its bid to further improve its health and social service initiatives, the San Juan City local government launched a two-day psychological first aid training for its public officers and officials to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills in responding to clients suffering from post-traumatic stress or exposed to critical incidents.
The two-day activity entitled “Training on Psychological First Aid” was held on May 25 and 26 at the Pinaglabanan Elementary School and the Session Hall of the San Juan City Hall.
It was participated by representatives and officials from the 21 Barangay Disaster Focals, City Health Office, City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, City Social Welfare and Development Department and Child Development.
According to the city government, the participants were taught about the definitions and terminologies regarding post-traumatic stress and other mental health issues, Basic Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Concepts & the Inter-agency standing committee(IASC) Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), Disasters and Emergencies, Grief & Grief Processing, Wellbeing, Resilience and Adaptive Coping, Facilitation and Communication, Psychological First-Aid, and Self Care and Caring for Carers.
Under the leadership of Mayor Francis Zamora, San Juan City has become one of the cities in Metro Manila that display exceptional performance in promoting mental health awareness and rehabilitation and recovery of those under the influence of illegal drugs.