NWU reboots Lifeline, conducts Psychological First Aid Training
In line with the celebration of the university’s 90th foundation anniversary, Northwestern University (NWU), through the Institutional Planning and Organizational Development Department (IPODD), Office of the Students Affair (OSA), Guidance Center, and in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) – Ilocos Norte Chapter, conducted the NWU LifeLine REBOOT Orientation Program and Psychological First Aid Training for the NWU Lifeline Core Group on March 4, 2022, at the NWU Exhibit Room.
The objective of the said event is to strengthen the knowledge of the volunteers in supporting the health of the NWU community, mainly mental health, to make them stronger, more resilient, and ready amidst the challenges brought by the pandemic.
“December 2018, when LifeLine was introduced to the NWU community. It was continued; however, it was not that active because of the stigma. With it, nobody tried to reach out to LifeLine until it slowed down, and it became inactive. So, until new problems came and arose, now [pandemic came], so now LifeLine is bouncing back with the new life, new structure, with a better perspective that it is not only for times of distress, problems brought by the pandemic, but it’s for the total holistic development of the NWU community” said by Prof. Agustina A. Dancel-Matias, OSA Acting Dean, and a member of the LifeLine group.
“The reboot will help the university, institution, or even the guidance center to provide more in-depth mental health support services, and as well as psychosocial support to the students, and also for the employees and the whole NWU community,” said Ms. Stephanie Marie P. Valiente, Officer-In-Charge of the Guidance Center, on the importance of the NWU LifeLine.
Mr. Sherward Frez Cabrales, Chapter Representative, Fund Raising and Volunteer Service Focal Person-Welfare Service of the PRC Ilocos Norte Chapter, is the guest speaker of the event.
“The benefits of this are very tantamount. This connects to the project or activity of our Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc because the provincial government has been alarmed by the surge of suicide cases in our province, that is why they started conducting training and somehow, NWU has already established this last 2018. Unfortunately, it has been hampered by this pandemic. Now, they are rebooting what they have started hoping that this will give help and hope to the community that has been greatly affected with problems and stresses,” said Mr. Cabrales.
“The mental health here is not prioritized. That is why the initiative of NWU is a great step because it serves or it can be a mitigation process to address problems that involve and affects not only with our physical health, but also for the mental health as well.” Mr. Cabrales added.
The 90th Foundation celebration of NWU will last until April 2022.
