School-Based Psychosocial Intervention Program for Disaster-Related Trauma in Albay, Philippines

Publisher: Bicol University PDF

Abstract

This study aimed to design a school-based psychosocial intervention program for disaster-related trauma in Albay as a psychosocial support to promote mental health in times of disasters. Likewise, this study aimed to prepare a module for the program developed, and present the proposed program using the module for preparedness and response. Developmental-evaluative method of research through expert panel evaluation, survey, interview techniques, and workshop sessions as well as focused group discussion (FGD) were utilized to gather data. Respondents and key informants were guidance practitioners, psychologists and teacher-advisers of secondary schools in the province of Albay, Philippines. The proposed school-based psychosocial intervention program was evaluated by the expert panel as adequate and relevant based on the felt needs of the educational institutions and was recommended for implementation. Survey of guidance practitioners and teachers of pilot school revealed outstanding results as to the content and relevance of the workshop topics, expertise of speakers, and appropriateness of workshop activities. FGD revealed a common theme to empower school heads to support the program through budget allocation and conduct more trainings for effective implementation of the program. Registered guidance counselors, in a random interview, were highly responsive to their commitment to replicate the program with the support of the school administration. The proposed school-based psychosocial intervention program is recommended for implementation and replication in other educational institutions.