MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--The Community and Family Services International (CFSI) conducted a two-day basic mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) training for service providers in the municipality of Marantao.

The training was participated by the municipality's MHPSS focals, particularly from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, Rural Health Units, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Education, barangay chairpersons, and SK Federated President.

CFSI Psychosocial Support Officer Amal Edres said the training was aimed to increase the knowledge of the identified participants on MHPSS and equip them with the right skills in providing necessary interventions.

The training was conducted under the organization's Marawi COVID Recovery Project (MCRP) funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of the Australian government.

MCRP Assistant Project Coordinator and Marawi Field Office Head Jalil Usman said the MCRP aims to assist internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Marawi and locally stranded individuals or returning residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The project targets to assist at least 4,000 households or 20,000 individuals in Marawi City and towns of Piagapo, Marantao, Ramain, Butig, Lumbayanague and Masiu.

Usman said the third component of the MCRP seeks to provide various services for mentally and psychosocially suffering people including case management, accommodation of referrals, direct assistance, medical check-up, medication, giving of assistive devices, and conducting basic MHPSS training for service providers. 

The other two components of the MCRP are livelihood and protection. (APB/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)