SU conducts psychosocial processing in La Libertad [#SUTyphoonOdetteInitiative Update]

The Silliman University (SU) Psychosocial Processing (PSP) Team conducts community PSP with La Libertad residents, March 5, 2022.

Silliman University (SU) conducted community psychosocial processing (PSP) in La Libertad, Negros Oriental in cooperation with the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) La Libertad Church, March 5, 2022.

SU’s PSP Team provided psychosocial intervention to 100 individuals from different communities in La Libertad.

“Of the 100 individuals, 67 were adults, 22 [belonged] to the youth group, and 11 [were] children,” said Dr. Edna T. Calingacion, SU Psychosocial Processing (PSP) Core Team head and dean of students. 

Dignity packs containing hygiene products were also distributed. The dignity packs were made possible by donations made through the SU Typhoon Odette Initiative.

Importance of PSP

The Silliman University (SU) Psychosocial Processing (PSP) Team conducts community PSP with La Libertad residents, March 5, 2022

Calingacion said the community PSP was “much needed.”  

Dr. Theresa A. Guino-o, Calingacion’s co-head in the PSP Core Team and SU College of Nursing dean, said in an interview for Episode 3 of #Silliman that PSP is needed to help people who have experienced traumatic events because such events can produce physical, behavioral, and emotional symptoms that affect a person’s well-being or health.

“These manifestations affect a person to a point that a person may not be able to function well in society. It affects activities of daily living and performance of roles and responsibilities. So we do PSP in order for us to help these persons understand why these type of events, that are seemingly meaningless or sudden, unexpected, unpredictable…happen, and…because they understand that, they can continue on living with a better perspective,” said Guin-o.

Members of the SU PSP Team in La Libertad, March 5, 2022.

Guino-o and Calingacion were both interviewed for Episode 3 of  #Silliman about the PSP activities of SU under its Typhoon Odette Initiative. The episode aired February 14 on #Silliman’s Facebook page.

Members of the SU PSP Team in La Libertad, March 5, 2022.

Members of the SU PSP Team in La Libertad, March 5, 2022.

SU’s PSP Team is composed of 13 trainees from the North Negros Conference who were assigned as process observers; 25 active PSP volunteers who were SU faculty, staff, and alumni; four SU Student Government representatives; and Rev. Leny Jovita, SU Church senior pastor.

The UCCP La Libertad Church is headed by Rev. Rosalyn Tanteras.

Trainees from North NegOr

The SU PSP Training for volunteers in UCCP Manjuyod Church last February 19 and 26, 2022.

The community PSP in La Libertad also served as the first field exposure of trainees who attended the PSP Training for volunteers in UCCP Manjuyod Church last February 19 and 26, 2022.

SU and the UCCP North Negros Conference recognized the need to train church pastors, youth leaders, and lay ministers of UCCP churches and their outreaches in Northern Negros Oriental to reach out to as many communities affected by Typhoon Odette.

The trainees were residents of Ayungon, Bindoy, Escalante, Guihulngan, Himamaylan, La Libertad, Manjuyod, and San Carlos, which were areas affected by the said typhoon.

The SU PSP Training for volunteers in UCCP Manjuyod Church last February 19 and 26, 2022.

The SU PSP Training for volunteers in UCCP Manjuyod Church last February 19 and 26, 2022.

The SU Typhoon Odette Initiative is a collective effort of the SU Administration through its Continuing Calamity Response Program, together with the SU Church, The Sillimanian Initiative of the SU Student Government, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends.

SU is still accepting cash and in-kind donations for this initiative. To donate, read: https://bit.ly/SUOdetteInitiative. Online donations are also accepted at: https://givenow.su.edu.ph/give-to-community-engagement/ (Choose “Continuing Calamity Response Program” in the given options).