THE DEPARTMENT of Education has provided mental health and psychosocial support to learners, teachers and non-teaching personnel of the Schools Division of Masbate who were affected by the armed conflict.

Spearheaded by the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Service together with the Learners Rights and Protection Office, DepEd conducted mental health and psychosocial support activities from April 25 to 27 in Villahermosa Elementary School and Villahermosa National High School in Cawayan, Masbate and Locso-an Elementary School and Arriesgado-Sevilleno National High School in Placer, Masbate.

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service Director Christian Rivero said that the provision of support is one of DepEd’s mission to provide a safe environment for teachers and learners.

Meanwhile, the DepEd Regional Office V Lead Representative Maria Cristina Baroso said that the conduct of PFA establishes human connections in a non-intrusive yet compassionate manner with the affected learners and teachers. She added that aside from normalizing and validating feelings, it is an opportunity to share the multiple sources of strengths which can be accessed in the school and community.

Together with 85 PFA providers from SDO Masbate, DepEd-DRRMS and the RO V provided MHPSS to the conflict-affected personnel and learners.

School Governance and Operations Division Chief Education Supervisor Mark Anthony Rupa pointed out in the activity that the top priority is the safety of the learners, teachers, and the PFA team. He also reminded the PFA providers to stay calm and remain focused during the deployment of PFA regardless of the adversity of the situation.

According to DepEd-DRRMS, SDO Masbate plans to strengthen capacity of schools to respond to similar situations with the support of the Central Office and Regional Office.