IN THE year 2017, I attended a seminar workshop and learned about the Community Resiliency Model (CRM), an approach to dealing with trauma and assisting the community to be “trauma-informed” and also “resiliency-focused.”
The CRM resonated deeply in me as I started to comprehend how bad life experiences could shape our daily lives. Indeed, the CRM gives hope, and with its skills-based approach, it can restore and strengthen resiliency that is not merely for survival but thriving in the face of adversities.
So, when Ma’am Maria Teresa Dela Rosa, MSSW, RSW invited me to collaborate with her to present CRM to the local government unit of Pikit, North Cotabato, I did not hesitate to accept. I saw it as an excellent opportunity to delve into the impact of trauma and chronic stress and share practical techniques for regulating the nervous system. I felt that the invitation was special because it came from Ma’am Dela Rosa, a distinguished member of the Philippine Association of Social Workers Inc (PASWI) Davao City Chapter, who recently received a Plaque of Recognition for her significant contributions to PASWI in 2023 during the celebration of PASWI’s 75th year at the Manila Hotel on September 22, 2023.
On the first day, I was warmly welcomed by Ma’am Dela Rosa, who was incredibly accommodating. She took the time to discuss how we would divide the topics and ensured that the participants could easily understand the content.
Her organizational skills were impressive, and her attention to detail was evident. Moreover, she was exceptionally friendly to everyone.
While, Mr. Peter Oyao Pechon, MSSW, RSW, Social Welfare Officer 3 of Pikit, North Cotabato also displayed excellent organization, ensuring that all seminar materials and kits were readily available without any oversights.
The topics, including tracking, resourcing, and grounding, were expertly explained, ensuring that even those without a medical background could grasp the concepts easily.
On the second day, Ma’am Dela Rosa and Ma’am Sheryl Lopez, MSSW, RSW, covered essential CRM skills. The skills to learn were about gesturing, which involves using hand movements to cause relaxation in the body and or touching the chest or abdomen, which can calm the nervous system.
Additionally, they delved into Help Now Skills, which are techniques designed for immediate stress relief. These techniques include focused breathing and grounding practices to restore safety and calmness. The discussion also included Shift and Stay Skills, which aid individuals in transitioning from distress to calm and maintaining that composure. These skills often involve rhythmic movements and grounding exercises that enhance relaxation and resilience.
Furthermore, Ma’am Grace Monocillo, MSSW, RSW, addressed the topic of Camp Coordination and Management, which pertains to the minimum standards for evacuation camps during disasters.
On the third day, Ma’am Dela Rosa presented a compelling discussion on psychological first aid. This engaging topic revolves around the emergency response to individuals who may have encountered trauma or stress during a disaster. This approach is guided by three core principles: listening attentively, assessing their situation, and connecting them to available resources during the disaster.
I genuinely believe that the seminar was a resounding success, and this success can be attributed to the exceptional social workers involved. These dedicated individuals include Lopez, former director of the Ateneo Migrant Center, Monocillo, who is the AdDU-CAID director, and most notably, Dela Rosa, who holds the position of Regional Independent Monitoring Committee Chair for Civil Society Organizations (CSO) and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P’s).
I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to have been included as one of the speakers. Being a nurse by profession, I wholeheartedly acknowledge the immense contribution that social workers make to our community.
I would also like to express my gratitude to Mayor Sumulong K. Sultan and Vice Mayor Muhyryn D. Sultan-Casi for their extraordinary dedication to supporting the Pikit community by supporting this seminar. Your unwavering love and leadership for Pikit, North Cotabato, is truly remarkable and exceptional.