La Trinidad, Benguet has partnered with various learning institutions in coming up with mental health care programs to assist learners during the pandemic.
Mayor Romeo Salda recently met with officials and guidance counselors of primary and secondary schools, university, and colleges in the municipality to discuss mental health programs, projects, and activities for students amid the pandemic.
Salda shared the value of outdoor activities for children and the youth.
The mayor said the mental health program supports the municipal ordinance passed in 2017 institutionalizing the mental health care program in the capital town.
Aside from providing mental health care services development, the ordinance also includes the integration of mental health care in the primary health care system in every barangay.
It also provides for the formation of a multi-sectoral joint network for the identification, treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of mental illnesses, especially among vulnerable groups like children, adolescents, and elderly.
The final output of the partnership of the LGU and learning institutions will serve as a guide of stakeholders in their mental health programs.
For the Cordillera Career Development College, the school implements a “mental health break strategy” in which strategic class schedules are conducted for basic education up to grade 10 learners.
CCDC Vice President for Administration Annabelle Gondales said kinder to grade 10 learners study two subjects at a time for a period of nine to 10 weeks, after that they focus on the next two subjects.
“For our other mental health programs, guidance services are done online and per appointment. We also have the “CCDC sa Radyo” program for mental health awareness where we also involve the students,” Gondales said.
The institution also opened the Admirals Park at Longlong, Puguis, which was originally intended for the school’s learners and personnel for school-related activities as well as family breaks.
Entry to the park is free for official activities of the school while discounts are given if learners and personnel use the park with their families. – Ofelia C. Empian
April 26, 2024
