Although the movement of the opening of classes to October allows for a longer adjustment period, teachers and students may still feel worried and pressured about the new form of learning that they will be taking.

That’s why the Department of Education (DepEd) announced that they will conduct psychosocial support sessions nationwide for both students and teachers. Along with other health-related topics and activities, this will be held a week before the school year starts this Oct. 5.

According to Secretary Leonor Briones, holding psychosocial support sessions is already a “built-in” component in DepEd under its Disaster Risk Reduction Management System. She added that they provide this service in times of tragedy, such as armed conflicts and natural calamities.

inquirer deped — *Photo by Grig C. Montegrande for Inquirer.net*

Briones added that the department’s officials, including herself, are also undergoing psychosocial support sessions.

“For this particular challenge, we are tapping national professional organizations of psychologists and counselors because they are objective and what they share are grounded based on theories and realities of life,” she said.

[READ: 7 self-care practices an educator should adopt right now]

“Essentially, all our guidance counselors in the field are undergoing their own psychosocial support events, activities, or programs in each division or schools,” said the department’s undersecretary Alain Pascua as well.

“But one week prior to the Oct. 5 school opening, we will be instituting psychosocial support activities and sessions for students in coordination with all the guidance counselors in the different schools and divisions nationwide,” he added.

Header photo by Chris Quintana for Inquirer Southern Luzon

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