The Learning Resource Center (LRC) provided psychological first aid (PFA) training to 25 student-tutors of the Promoting Excellence through Educational Review (PEER) Tutorials Program, on May 18, 2024, at the LRC Office.
Aimee B. Maloles, a licensed psychologist and psychometrician as well as coordinator of the BS Psychology program at the Laguna State Polytechnic University-Los Baños Campus, discussed PFA fundamentals, action principles, and strategies that PEER tutors can use in distress and emergencies.
The COVID-19 pandemic, disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes, traumatic events including bullying, and personal crises are all examples of serious stressors.
“We have different stories to tell. Magkakaiba tayo ng mga pinagdadaanan sa buhay,” she said.
PFA is the first line of psychosocial support that can help people cope and remain calm in such difficult situations.
Maloles emphasized that its purpose is to assess affected individuals’ immediate concerns and needs and connect them to appropriate social support and services, rather than provide on-site therapy.
She highlighted the three action principles of looking, listening, and linking when providing PFA.
Looking involves assessing potential risks to safety and security; assisting in providing immediate basic needs such as medical assistance, shelter, or food; and looking out for people exhibiting serious distress reactions such as shaking, headaches, fatigue, anxiety, or fear.
Active listening is critical to better understanding people’s needs and concerns and helping them feel calm. “As a PFA responder, you just need to listen, and let them feel that you are there to help sa ibang bagay na pwede,” she advised the tutors.
Other crucial PFA components include linking people to practical support and social services and encouraging positive coping strategies.
Maloles also facilitated simulation activities to help PEER tutors practice and improve their PFA skills in various tutorial session scenarios. They demonstrated looking for signs of distress, listening carefully without judging or giving unwanted opinions, and directing tutees to UPLB’s support services through the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.
Bey Serna, one of LRC’s PEER tutors for agriculture and economics subjects, highlighted their role as volunteers who help their fellow students. “When entering LRC as tutors, we have to equip ourselves na ready tayo psychologically din, hindi lang sa mga modules na ituturo natin, pero pati na rin sa psychological routine natin na ready tayo makinig sa mga gusto nilang sabihin.”
Joshua Michael G. Jonas, an LRC university research associate and tutorials coordinator, stated that PFA training is one of the most anticipated and requested by the PEER tutors. “It’s very timely and very helpful, not only for the mental health of tutees but also for your own mental health. ‘Di ba nga sabi, you can’t give what you don’t have. You can’t help support another person’s mental health if your own mental health is undergoing construction.”
The PFA training session is the last of a series of seminars that LRC conducted to develop the PEER tutors’ teaching skills and foster their personal growth as individuals. Two UPLB summa cum laude graduates previously shared tutoring strategies and insights with their fellow PEER Tutors in a session held on April 27, 2024.
LRC is committed to creating a caring and nurturing environment that promotes honor, excellence, and service.