BENGUET PLGU STRENGTHENS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS, CAPACITATES YOUTH ON PFA
LA TRINIDAD
The Benguet Provincial Local Government Unit, headed by Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas, together with the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation of Benguet, led by Hon. Micah B. Cayat, conducted a two-day Psychological First Aid (PFA) training for Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials, Local Youth Development Officers (LYDO), MMB youth
advocates, and youth leaders in the province. “Anyone can learn Psychological First Aid to become a capable responder,” said Dr. Patricia Nicole G. Alcaraz during her lecture, encouraging the youth leaders to be mental health advocates in their respective municipalities.
Dr. Alcaraz, together with Dr. Jovy Tangalin, Dr. Sheryll Macazo, Ms. Roselle Garcia, and Ms. Krystal A. Gatab of
Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) and Provincial Health Office (PHO), shared their expertise on mental health, emphasizing crucial skills in crisis intervention and mental health support. The topics included, such as caring for mental health, lectures on self-harm, distressing events and reactions to distressing events, developing case studies, “Look Listen, Link,” and self-care for responders, are aimed at empowering participants with essential tools to provide effective and compassionate care during emergencies and crises.
Also, this training underlines the province’s objectives in capacitating the young government employees of the PFA skills necessary in the promotion of mental health awareness in the province. According to Dr. Ryan C. Guinaran,
Executive Assistant to the Governor, “as aligned with the Provincial Impact-Driven Youth Academy Leadership (PIYAL) HEALTHIER roadmap, the participants of the said activity are expected to train at least 200 youths in their
respective municipalities to destigmatize mental health, as anchored to their municipalities’ mental health program.”
Meanwhile, Governor Diclas, in his message, appreciated the enthusiasm and commitment of the province’s young leaders for heeding the call for training, underscoring that the knowledge and tools for providing psychological first aid are important in leading the fellow young people in the province. He further encouraged everyone to seek support when needed, practice self-care, and encourage a culture where mental health is openly discussed and valued. The said training was held at Rebeka’s Resto in Wangal, La Trinidad, on June 20- 21.
JWA/PIO-Benguet
