March 28, 2024

The Schools Division of Benguet organized the Ibenguet Counselors on Call, an activity that provides free tele-counseling and psychological first aid to learners, personnel, and parents since the start of the enhanced community quarantine in April.
The advocacy, conducted by the school division’s group of registered guidance counselors through the Schools Governance and Operations Division-Youth Formation, is part of the Division Quick Response and Recovery Team under the School Health and Nutrition Section, and it aims to provide mental health and psychosocial support services though online platforms to learners, personnel and parents who are affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and to refer and link identified clients for referral to appropriate agencies if necessary.
In addition to the online counseling, the group also has been creating localized information drive posters related to Covid 19 called the “Food for the brain.” Themes include practicing self-care, wellness, coping and parenting tips and mental health.
The Bakun district, one of the districts of Department of Education Benguet under the leadership of Division Superintendent Benilda M. Daytaca, has also been providing online psychological first aid to their learners, teachers, and members of the community spearheaded by Ampusongan National High School-Main guidance counselor Joan Hertimia B. Wagang.
The Ibenguet counselors have already served 65 learners, six teachers, eight non-teaching staff, and 11 parents. Most of their concerns were family, academic, coping, health-related, and career guidance. The Bakun psychological first aid providers served 27 learners and parents.
Both activities are still accepting clients and referrals.
For inquiries and appointments, clients may send message to the DepEd Benguet Youth Formation Facebook page; Ibenguet Counselors on Call at https://www.facebook.com/BenguetYF/; Food for the Brain Info-Drive at https://www.facebook.com/BenguetStingers/photos/a.352525112113792/596775717688729/?type=3&theater; Bakun PFA at https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10218151612527606&set=a.4260741362581&type=3&theater. – Press release