MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--Recognizing the vital need of every service provider to de-stress once in a while, the non-government organization Community and Family Services International (CFSI) pursued the conduct of its stress management training, targeting barangay health workers (BHWs) in various municipalities in the province of Lanao del Sur who are deemed to be one of those most stressed in this era of a global health crisis. 

Under the Marawi COVID Recovery Project (MCRP), five batches were accordingly accommodated which were composed of participants coming from Marawi City and towns of Piagapo, Masiu, Marantao, Ditsa-an Ramain, Lumbayanague and Butig. 

CFSI Psychosocial Support Officer Amal Edres shared that this is according to their main purpose which is to provide a comfort zone for the strained frontliners on the ground, believing that allowing them to unwind would enhance their productivity and service to their constituents.

She stated that they aimed to lead psychosocial processing of the struggles of their partakers to deliver relaxation for their well-being.

“Kinonduct itong activity natin para magsilbi itong safe space para sa kanila na magbreathe-out, pansamantalang magrest mula sa kanilang activity for one day, and makaventilate sila para kung anuman ang naexperience nila sa baba ay mashare nila at pati na ang positive coping mechanism nila na pwede maadopt rin ng ibang BHWs natin,” said Edres. 

[We are conducting this activity to serve as a safe space for them to breathe out, temporarily rest from their activity for one day, and allow them to ventilate so that they can share whatever stress they had, and even the positive coping mechanism that can be adopted also by our BHWs.]
 

Citing their noble intention, the CFSI looked forward to having been able to aid the BHWs and that every matter discussed would be spread out to more locals in their respective places. 

“Sinabi namin na sana pagbalik nila sa kanilang bahay ay mabawasan ang mga problema nila. Sana, kung anuman ang natunan nila dito ay hindi lamang hanggang dito. Maiapply sana nila sa kanilang work para magbenefit din pati ang people with special needs sa baba na kailangan din ng kanilang tulong,” said Edres. 

[We told them we hope that when they go back to their houses, their problems are lessened. I hope that whatever they learned here will not end here. I hope they can apply this in their work so that people with special needs who need their help would also benefit.] (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)