Program objective:

The program aims to train and teach local government officials, barangay officials, crisis management officers, disaster responders, and secondary responders the knowledge and skills needed to provide PFA for individuals and groups. This would involve a training and workshop where the program beneficiaries will be trained on empathic listening skills and group facilitation; observed as they demonstrate a PFA session on their own; and given feedback for more improved and effective implementation. It is also hoped that program beneficiaries will be able to assist in future trainings and apply their learning in providing PFA during disasters and other crisis events.

Program relevance:

This project presents a way of equipping and training non-professional or non-psychologist mental health care providers to address the immense need for basic mental health services and psychological support not only during disasters and other crisis events but also in dealing with stresses of daily living in the lack or absence of psychologists, psychiatrists, guidance counselors, and other mental health care providers in the region. In the present context where increasing incidence and prevalence of mental health problems are weighing down efforts at recovery in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, this project would be beneficial not only within the University of the Philippines Los Baños but also to other areas in Laguna and the Philippines which need and could be recipients of PFA. The presence of PFA-trained responders in barangays and other local government institutions/agencies may indicate that basic mental health support and services are accessible to members of the community. This may ultimately help prevent the development or exacerbation of mental health problems and attenuate cases of suicide in the community.

Training the program beneficiaries will equip them with knowledge and skills in facilitating a PFA session so that they can use them to give mental health and psychosocial support back in their communities. They will be expected to apply their learnings in facilitating non-specialized interventions during disasters and other crisis events or at least assist in providing future PFA trainings spearheaded by the Department of Social Sciences University of the Philippines Los Baños.

Program design:

The design below covers selected but essential topics, techniques, and practical skills for assisting people affected by traumatic events, disasters, or emergencies. The design may be delivered in different formats, such as workshops, online modules, or in-person training sessions. However, in-person training sessions are the most preferred mode of delivery considering that providing a mental health and psychosocial support intervention is a highly social activity that requires expeditious feedback and thorough observation of non-verbal cues and physical surroundings, which might not be possible or available if the training is conducted online. The design of the program is as follows:

Module 1: Psychosocial impacts of crisis

Module 2: Empathic listening skills

Module 3: Facilitating group interventions

Module 4: Introduction to Psychological First Aid

Module 5: Caring for carers

Module 6: Role-playing and simulation exercises

Contact Details

For further inquiries and transactions, please email the Department of Social Sciences at dss_cas.uplb@up.edu.ph.