South Cotabato Eyes Psychological First Aid for School After Shooting

The provincial government of South Cotabato is considering the deployment of trained psychological first aider personnel to Banga National High School here to help students, teachers, and parents cope with the emotional impact of a shooting incident that occurred on Friday. Rolly Doane Aquino, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), stated that the move aims to support the school community in dealing with the trauma and stress caused by the incident. Psychological First Aid (PFA) is an initial response aimed at providing empathetic and supportive care to individuals experiencing distress. This development comes amidst broader concerns about rising incidents of school violence in the Philippines. The Department of Education has repeatedly emphasized the need to strengthen school safety measures and enhance support for students' mental health. The initiative in South Cotabato highlights the importance of mental health care in educational settings, suggesting the need for sustained programs to support the long-term well-being of those directly affected by the incident, in addition to immediate support.