AN Ateneo de Manila professor at the Department of Psychology became the first Filipino to be cited as  2021 Global Citizen Psychologist by Division 52 of the American Psychological Association.

Dr. Maria Regina Hechanova Alampay was recognized for her project called ‘Katatagan’, which seeks to provide psychological support for disaster survivors.

For several years, Alampay said she and her colleagues in the department have been developing evidence-based psychological interventions as their contribution to nation-building and being professionals for others.

“Knowing that through our community mental health interventions, we have reached people who don’t have access to psychological support is a reward in itself,” Alampay said.

“So, to be acknowledged for this work is a bonus. I really don’t want to take all the credit because it takes a village to do what we do. I only took the lead, so I need to share this with all my colleagues who have shared their dream and journey,” she added.

The professor thanked Ateneo for supporting and funding the project.

“I am grateful to Ateneo because it has provided a lot of support for what we do. The university funded the research and training when we created the Katatagan resilience program for survivors of Typhoon Haiyan in 2013. It also funded the research and development of Katatagan Online in 2020,” she said.

The Global Citizen Psychologist Citation acknowledges psychologists for bringing their professional knowledge, experience, and expertise to those around them at the local, national, or international level.