When Listening Becomes Part of Care
OZAMIZ CITY - Mental health awareness in General Santos City can begin with something remarkably ordinary: making time to listen. In June 2026, the Department of Health–Center for Health Development SOCCSKSARGEN conducted Mental Health and Psychosocial Support training in General Santos City, covering psychological well-being, referral systems, Psychological First Aid, coping, social support, and self-care. The training is significant because it looks beyond emergencies themselves and prepares people to respond appropriately when emotional needs arise. For residents, the message is simple: emotional concerns deserve attention too. A supportive conversation, a patient listener, or knowing where to seek professional assistance can make asking for help feel less difficult.
GenSan’s Schools Put Well-Being Into the Conversation
Mental wellness also has a place inside classrooms. When public schools in General Santos City resumed face-to-face classes in August following the June earthquake, the opening days were devoted to Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services and school safety orientations before regular academic activities fully resumed. This approach recognizes that returning to school is not simply about reopening classrooms; students and school personnel may also need time to adjust emotionally after a distressing experience. The Department of Education’s report provides a useful reminder for families: checking how children are feeling, allowing them to talk, and paying attention to changes in behavior can be part of supporting their overall well-being.
Support Can Start Close to Home
Another encouraging part of General Santos City’s mental-health picture is that assistance has reached communities rather than remaining confined to formal offices. During the earthquake response, DOH-CHD SOCCSKSARGEN mental-health teams provided Psychological First Aid in several areas of the city. In Purok Tanda, Barangay San Jose, 92 children and adults received psychosocial assistance, while 70 individuals in Dadiangas North received Psychological First Aid, according to DOH reports. These efforts offer a practical lesson for September: caring for mental health does not always require a grand gesture. Checking on a neighbor, staying connected with family, and guiding someone toward appropriate professional support are meaningful ways to build a more caring community.
