Address mental health issues among students
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO--The provincial government of Pampanga is now supporting efforts in addressing mental health issues among Pampanga students.
This, following reports on the spikes in suicide cases in the province.
The statement of support was made during the training for guidance counselors from various schools in Pampanga over the weekend.
The event aimed to equip counselors with tools and strategies to address youth issues in Pampanga.
Governor Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda, through the provincial government, aims to help some 112 participants from the seven municipalities of the provi nce.
Dubbed as “Capacity Building on Guidance Counselor Designates, the two-day training was held on Friday, April 14, at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Cen t er.
The first batch of participants trained under the program came from Arayat, Magalang, Floridablanca, Lubao, Candaba, San Luis, and Macabebe.
Second District Board Member Mylyn PinedaCayabyab assured the participants and the Department of Education (DepEd) of the provincial government support in helping the students cope with mental health issues.
She said the students' best interest and wellbeing will always be at the forefront of the governor's program.
“Pagkatapos ng pandemya, ang dami kasi nating naririnig na cases kaya ayaw pa natin itong madagdagan. Naniniwala kami na kailangang bigyan ng pansin ang mga estudyante. Alamin ang kanilang saloobin at mga problema para hindi humantong sa mga ganitong pagkakataon,” Cayabyab said.
Records from the DepEd Schools Division Office (SDO) of Pampanga show that there has been a significant increase in the number of students afflicted with mental issues after the surge of COVID19.
Paula Meneses, SDO Pampanga child protection specialist, said the leading causes of youth issues include dysfunctional families, love life, and relationship problems.
“Itong post pandemic talaga ay may malaking naging epekto sa mental health ng mga bata. Maganda ngayon, sa tulong po ng ating governor at vice governor, tinutulungan talaga yung mga kabataan. Kung saan mental health problem palang siya ay inaaddress na agad natin,” Meneses added.
Topics discussed during the training include reported cases of youth issues in the province, the algorithm of the college mental health wellness program, and recommended interventions for atrisk youth, among others.
The provincial government is set to hold another training for the remaining batch of guidance counselor designates from the other clusters in the province.