Cagayan de oro: The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Northern Mindanao Region (DSWD-10) is advocating for an expanded approach in disaster response by officially including "psychological first aid" in its protocols.

According to Philippines News Agency, during a training session on Monday, DSWD-10 Assistant Director Glofelia Uayan emphasized the importance of delivering sensitive and timely psychosocial support to disaster-affected individuals and communities. Uayan highlighted that while responders are trained to provide necessities such as food, shelter, and safety, they must also be prepared to address the psychological and emotional trauma that individuals may experience following a disaster.

The training session was part of the Disaster Resilience Month observance in July and involved members of the DSWD-10 Quick Response Team. The event aimed to equip responders with the necessary skills to manage mental health issues arising during emergencies.

Senior nurse Ma. Dolores Mercado from the Department of Health-10 also contributed to the training, focusing on the Disaster Risk Reduction Management cluster approach. Mercado's guidance included strategies for maintaining mental health during emergencies and practical methods for delivering psychological first aid.

This initiative is a component of the agency's continuous efforts to enhance its Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services. By integrating psychological first aid into its disaster response protocols, DSWD-10 seeks to ensure that its response remains both effective and compassionate.