The Department of Social Welfare and Development Region VII, through the KALAHI- CIDSS Balik Probinsya Bagong Pag-asa Program (BP2P), conducted a total of 24 batches of psychosocial support sessions with 885 beneficiaries from the different provinces of Region VII. The beneficiaries of the said program were individuals who lost their jobs and returned to their provinces due to the pandemic. These individuals received assistance so that they can go back to their families in the province safe and sound. Their new challenge now is to survive the social and mental difficulties of their current situation.
The main purpose of the psychosocial support session was to provide input on coping mechanisms at three (3) levels, namely: self, family and community. Dealing with stress should not be limited to ourselves. It also involves the people around us. The activity was also an avenue for the participants to express themselves through kamustahan (sharing of how they are at the moment) among BP2P beneficiaries. Knowing that they are not alone in this journey is a big help for them to keep a positive outlook on life. The highlights of the session include the discussion on the importance of mental health and its impact on achieving a healthy and happy life. In addition, the participants also engaged in planning for the next steps of their own community integration. Mr. Lenbi Laborte, Dr. Conchita Olasiman, Faith Canada, Glenda Florentino and Shiela Mae Simbajon served as resource speakers for the activity.
The sessions were held in Hagnaya Beach Resort & Restaurant on October 3-6 for Northern Cebu, in Badian on October 16 for Southern Cebu, in Café Genoveva & Vista Real Pension House on October 9-13 for Negros Oriental, and in Kew Hotel on October 16-24 for the province of Bohol.
The participants expressed their gratitude for the life lessons they have learned and the support they have received.
Arman Ariante, one of the participants from Bohol, shared how the sessions have helped him overcome the sadness and anxiety that he felt about losing his job.
“Dako kaayu’g tabang nga nawa gamay ang akong kaguol ug kabalaka, kay nawad-an baya ko ug trabaho. Kining kalihukan nakahatag nako ug kahayag nga aduna pa gyud diay paglaum bisan sa mga nahitabo nga kalisod sa kinabuhi. Padayun lang gyud ta sa pagpaningkamot ug pag-ampo sa Ginoo (It was a big help to relieve me a little bit of the sadness and anxiety that I felt when I lost my job. This activity gave me a light that there is still hope in spite of the difficulties in life. We just have to continue to work hard and to pray to God),” he said. ###
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