PANABO CITY — Davao del Norte State College (DNSC) checked on its employees’ mental health and emotional well-being following the strong doublet earthquakes recently felt on campus. As part of this effort, the College held a Psychological First Aid (PFA) Orientation on October 21, 2025, at the DNSC Gymnasium.
Organized by the DNSC Guidance Office and the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO), the activity gathered faculty members and selected staff for a session on providing psychological support in times of crisis. The event featured Ms. Ester Generale-Saragena, MAPCP, Instructor I and Mental Health Associate, as the resource person, who discussed the guidelines of Psychological First Aid, and facilitated simulation activities on how to conduct PFA following an earthquake.
In her welcome remarks, HRMO Head Raquel J. Edjec, touched on the importance of being mentally prepared to face emergencies, “Following the recent earthquake that took place three weeks ago, there may be significant mental health impacts that include the risk of anxiety, depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Therefore, it is important that we all know first aid, especially the teachers, so that you can provide immediate support to students in your class experiencing stress or trauma caused by the aftermath of the incident.”
Ms. Maricielo Paula E. Funa, Guidance Head, provided the rationale for the orientation, “Here at DNSC, our well-being and safety, as well as that of our students, are our top priority. Equipping our school personnel with the skills of Psychological First Aid will help us create a more supportive and healthier environment for everyone.”
She further stressed that PFA enables individuals to offer immediate comfort and emotional support, recognize signs of distress, and connect those affected to professional help when needed. Through the session and simulations, participants learned practical skills in providing emotional first aid, such as active listening, empathy, and appropriate response techniques during crisis situations.
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