By Alexandria Faith Malanog
CPU Psychological Society officers and committee members, together with the MHPSS and PFA attendees and speaker, during a photo opportunity at the 鈥淐ompassion in Action: A Mental Health and Psychosocial Support and Psychological First Aid Training Seminar鈥 held at EN 200, Engineering Building.
The CPU Psychological Society proudly spearheaded the program 鈥淐ompassion in Action: A Mental Health and Psychosocial Support and Psychological First Aid Training Workshop鈥 on September 20, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Room 200, 2nd floor of the Engineering Building. The event brought together eager Psychology students from first to fourth year, along with participants from other departments.
The morning session kicked off with Ms. Chriselda Elaine V. Ador, RPm, and Prof. Jade S. Ermitano, RPsy, RPm, who discussed the essentials of 鈥楤asic Mental Health and Psychosocial Support and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Interventions鈥. Ms. Ador stated that while people’s experiences are collective, we must consider that a person鈥檚 mental stability is constantly changing. She encouraged participants to help others, but reminded everyone to prioritize themselves first.
Adding onto Ms. Ador鈥檚 discussion, Prof. Jade advised students that mental health and psychosocial support are needed at all stages of a crisis: before the disaster strikes, during the emergency phase (if possible), and even months after the disaster. She explained that Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) can be offered for people who have experienced disasters or loss, and interventions can come in layers: (1) basic services and security, (2) community and family support, (3) non-specialized support, and (4) specialized services reserved for people with severe mental disorders, where only professionals can intervene. Their insights encouraged students to reflect on the value of mental health in everyday life.
Ma鈥檃m Chriselda Elaine Ador, Guidance Counselor of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Prof. Jade Ermitano, University Psychometrician, during the question-and-answer portion of the morning session of 鈥淐ompassion in Action: A Mental Health and Psychosocial Support and Psychological First Aid Training Seminar.鈥
In the afternoon, Asst. Prof. Teri S. Del Rosario-Ramos, RPsy, RPm, delivered a lecture on 鈥業ntroduction to Psychological First Aid鈥. She highlighted the principles of Look, Listen, and Link, emphasizing that volunteers should know their limits, as possible second-hand trauma may occur. Alongside this, small gestures such as documenting the event and giving food supplies can make a positive impact on people鈥檚 lives.
Students then participated in an interactive workshop, applying what they learned to different crisis scenarios. The program concluded with certificates of participation, sealing the day with a reminder that true compassion is not just felt鈥攊t is acted upon.