The Department of Social Welfare and Development will pilot a school and community-based mental health program in Valenzuela City next week to help address stress and other psychological concerns affecting Filipino families, particularly young people.
DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao said the “Tara, Usap!” program will be launched on August 13 at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela.
The pilot implementation will initially cover youth beneficiaries serving as tutors and youth development workers under the agency’s existing “Tara, Basa!” Program.
Dumlao said the “Tara, Basa!” initiative has been successful in addressing literacy gaps while helping strengthen relationships between young learners and their parents.
“Gayunpaman, may iba pa ring mga problemang kinakaharap ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino na kailangan din ng intervention tulad ng stress at iba pang mental health issues. Dito sa Tara, Usap! Program, tinutugunan natin ang problemang ito (However, Filipino families face other challenges, such as stress and various mental health issues, that also require intervention. The ‘Tara, Usap!’ program addresses this need),” she added.
“Tara, Usap!” is a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPS) initiative designed to promote the holistic well-being of youth beneficiaries.
The program will integrate mental health promotion, psychosocial support, family strengthening, peer support and wellness activities into the “Tara, Basa!” framework.
The launch comes amid a series of violent incidents involving minors in schools in recent months.