Southwestern University-Phinma, CCPO partner for wellness center
The Southwestern University-Phinma’s School of Design and Communication (SDC) has entered into a partnership with the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) for a wellness and drop-in center.
SDC and CCPO formed a volunteer program which uses art and creativity for the full rehabilitation of former drug dependents and their immediate family members.
The art therapy program, overseen by civil society representative Niña Estenzo, is under the newly opened wellness and drop-in center, which is one of the programs formed through a multi-stakeholder approach on drug rehabilitation.
Using art as a therapeutic medium, the rehabilitation process involves artistic self-expression of clients to help resolve their internal conflicts, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior and/or mood, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve overall personal and communal insight.
“This is an opportunity for us in the academe to contribute to the community. In light of the recent drive toward a drug-free society, we find it most especially vital to provide opportunities to our clients for self-growth and learning through the arts,” said SDC executive director Ria Repunte.
Each session in the art therapy program is tweaked according to the emotional and psychological needs of the clients. The program is also designed to decipher pointers through what the participants discussed and what was revealed through their art.
Volunteer Grade 11 SDC students have finished the wellness center’s wall paint and mural. They painted colorful sunflowers and butterflies, signifying elements of hope, grace and joy.
The partnership is in line with the Philippine National Police’s expanded role in the drug war, which includes rehabilitation of drug dependents called “Life After Tokhang” (LIFT). S