City Government of Valenzuela through the City Social Welfare and Development Office and the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) conducted a seminar with the theme “Learning Basic Psychosocial Skills and Psychological First Aid Stress Management: Overcoming Generalized Anxiety” at the Audio Visual Room, Valenzuela City Hall, November 26, 2022.

This is pursuant to RA Act No. 11036, an Act Establishing a National Mental Health Policy for the Purpose of Enhancing the Delivery of Integrated Mental Health Services, Promoting and Protecting the Rights of Persons Utilizing Psychosocial Health Services which mandates Local Government Units to provide accessible mental health care services within its Barangays. This aims, to deliver free community-based Psychosocial and Psychiatric Neurological Services to the constituents.

With this, Valenzuela City PDAO established an excellent program that aids Person With Disabilities (PWD) through Home Care Volunteer (HVC) initiative. HVC is an institutionalized home care support service that visits and helps bed-ridden and indigent PWD clients all over the city from Monday to Friday. PDAO also supports the Family Support Group for PWD parents that gather every 3rd Saturday of the month.

The event discussed proper wellness and stress management to achieve a healthy balance of the mind, body, and spirit that can result in an overall feeling of well-being. It also tackled stress and Stress Responses that HVCs encounter every day when they visit the city’s clients. The guest speakers were able to clarify to the audience the difference between Depression and Generalized Anxieties and what can trigger them.

The seminar was joined by Focal Person for Persons with Disabilities and Second District Councilor, Niña Lopez, CSWDO Social Workers headed by Dorothy Evangelista, Guest speakers from Valenzuela Medical Center, Elena Ramirez, RN, and Dr. Carter Rabi, MD, Registered Guidance Councilor, Archie Dela Cruz and Mr. Darwin Tenoria, Home Care Volunteer (HVCs), and support group: Valenzuela inspiring Community to Overcome Regression and Stigma (VICTORS).

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