On October 29, 2024, representatives from the academic and administrative units of Saint Louis University (SLU) participated in the Psychological First Aid (PFA) Training organized by the SLU Human Resource Department (HRD) and the Crisis Management and Resilience Team (CMRT). The said training took place at Fr. Francis Gevers Hall in the Diego Silang Building, and was facilitated by trainers from the Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association Inc. Baguio Benguet Chapter (PGCA BBC), alongside the SLU Center for Counseling and Wellness.
Setting the tone and expectation of the day’s program, Vice President for Administration and CMRT Team Lead, Atty. Shellah Yzanne P. Merced stated, “While Physical First Aid is used to reduce physical discomfort due to a bodily injury, Psychological First Aid is a strategy to reduce the painful range of emotions and responses experienced by people exposed to high stress. In this day and age, it is not only imperative that we take care of our physical body, but it is equally important to take care of our mental health and the mental health of others.”
“As a tight knit community which aims to foster camaraderie and collaboration and cooperation, Psychological First Aid is an immensely important tool that each of us can use to reduce our stress level. By understanding our stress reactions and utilizing Psychological First Aid principles, we can enhance resilience not only in ourselves but in our families, workplace, and community,” Atty. Merced added.
Following this, HRD Director Mr. Jeremy Dela Cruz underscored the importance of PFA which is grounded on the Filipino values of binnadang, pakikiisa, and pakikiramay. At the core of being a Louisian is the mission to serve others, which defines our identity as missionaries, Mr. Dela Cruz stated.
“Drawing from the spirit of binnadang or nationally known as bayanihan, our tradition of communal unity and support, we can truly understand the power of coming together for the common good. Just as neighbors lift each other in times of need, psychological first aid embodies this ethos, this moral character. It’s about being present for one another—listening, validating feelings, and offering practical assistance,“ he added.
The training, therefore, calls participants to embrace their core values of service and solidarity. Recognizing that each kapwa is an extension of oneself emphasizes a shared identity and the call to love others as they love themselves. By prioritizing mental health alongside physical health, the Louisian community can build a culture of compassion rooted in the values pakikiisa and pakikiramay sa kapwa, creating a community where everyone feels seen, heard, and uplifted.
It is to be noted that the day’s training is the second in the PFA training series, which is in line with United Nation Sustainable Development Goal 3, Good Health and Well-Being. The first phase was attended by School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA) students on 8 October 2024 and was facilitated by CCW in collaboration with the Supreme Student Council-STELA (SSC-STELA) Assembly.
Succeeding PFA training schedules are being finalized and will involve the participation of trainees who are now more equipped as PFA-providers.
Psychological First Aid: Rationale Explained
Laying the groundwork for PFA was the discussion of its rationale by the President of PGCA BBC, Mrs. Jonna Mondares, RGC, RPsy. Her discussion centered on the basic principles of PFA as well as what PFA is and what it is not. These principles were summed up by the acronym C.A.L.M. A.I.D., which stands for:
- C: Comfort (provide practical care and support that doesn’t intrude)
- A: Assess (assess needs and concerns to understand the situation better)
- L: Link (help people connect to information, sources, and social supports)
- M: Meet (help people access basic needs like food, water, and shelter)
- A: Assure (offer reassurance and help people feel calm)
- I: Intervene (protect people from further harm and provide appropriate assistance)
- D: Direct (direct people towards resources and assistance)
Psychological First Aid Applied
To apply PFA principles, a workshop facilitated by CCW Guidance Counselor Mrs. Nerisa T. Gonzalo, RGC, was held. Participants were divided into small groups of three to four members and were given cases or scenarios to identify which PFA principles to apply. With the guidance of SLU CCW guidance counselors, each group was able to properly execute the three-step PFA shortcuts: Look, Listen, and Link.
The workshop ended with question-and-answer and feedback sessions in which the participants, trainers, and guidance counselors had enriching conversations on how to effectively provide PFA in various settings.
Putting a close to the PFA training, Director for CCW, Ms. Marie Ellami S. Refuerzo, RGC, RPsy reiterated the importance of kindness and being of help in difficult situations. “The only thing you need is time,” Ms. Refuerzo urged. “Do not leave our mental health to the experts. Mental well-being is a community response,” she added. (Article by UIO | Photos by HRD)
