How can learning proceed if students and teachers cannot normally depart from the aftermath of Typhoon Sendong?

In her lecture, she gave an overview of traumatic stress and how victims should be understood to help them achieve recovery. A two-day sequel is  likewise planned on January 12-13, to train facilitator volunteers  conduct effective psycho-social processing and sustain psycho-emotional stability among victims.

About 200 participants, who were officers, teachers, staff and student leaders and were direct or indirect victims of Typhoon Sendong, attended the lecture at the Audio Visual Center on January 9.  Dr. Victoria Sumanpan, director of Extension Division, and prime mover on the stress debriefing action plan, likewise invited barangay officials and leaders affiliated with the Bitan-ag Creek Alliance, and other extension guests, to participate in the event.

Dr. Batar mentioned the various responses of victims to a trauma. She said that they are usually terrified, made helpless, unsure if the world is still safe to live, distrustful, and shattered in their sense of order and belief in the Almighty. Their damaged selves disconnect them from others, and  they do not know if they still have to deny or proclaim the horrible event. They develop conflict within and become ambivalent.

Physically, they experience palpitations, become nervous and restless, find it difficult to sleep,  and often have headache, LBM or constipation, muscle pain, or nausea among others. Emotionally, they are fearful, angry, shocked, lonely, stoic and hopeless. They either blame themselves or others, and avoid circumstances  that make them remember the event.  Mentally, they get to have repeated recalls of the event,  and some bad dreams. They also are confused, lacking in focus, weak in making decisions, suspicious and indeed different from before.

Although trauma can affect anyone, regardless of their position, race, religion, and age,  Dr. Batar said the younger victims tend to be more vulnerable.

She also mentioned that direct victims do suffer from the loss of loved ones, properties, heritage, and livelihood; and may be forced to live uncomfortably in evacuation centers and feel the uncertainty of the future. The indirect victims get out of their ways to perform rescue operations, and get stressed from physical strains or on the ambiguity or conflict of roles or disorganization in society.

With all these, Dr. Batar said that people's resiliency depends on their intimate relationships with each other. She implied that longer time may be required if they do not unify, and if they continue to alienate themselves from one another. They also must have thoughtful and active coping styles bearing a high sense of responsibility to protect others, and greatly believe they can surpass the tragedy. A good sense of humor may also help. It is also important to draw meanings out of the crisis to be able to rise above it and indeed experience recovery.

Mr. Romeo Naces - VP for Admin and General Services, gave the welcome remarks during the lecture. Mr. Alfredo Vicera, president of Supreme Student Council introduced the participants, while Dr. Sumanpan introduced the speaker arranged for the University by Ms. Maria Consuelo R. del Castillo, director for Planning, Monitoring and Communication Unit.

The sequel part has Dr. Juana dela Rama, VP for Student Affairs, as in-charge of the event; her office will also outline a plan for orientation and debriefing sessions for the students.