Basic Facilitator’s Training on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support

During Crises, Emergencies & Disaster

DRAF TRAINING MANUAL/SESSION GUIDE

Introduction/ Rationale:

Objectives :
Generally, the activity intended that at the end of three-day activity, participants will be able to enhance
knowledge, attitude and skills on the different processes and technique that will enable them to facilitate
psychosocial intervention to those who are affected of disaster, emergency or crises.
Specifically, at the end of the activity the participants will be able to:

1. Explain what is mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), the concepts and the need for it;
2. Discuss some coping activity and share experiences on the process;
3. Demonstrate learned knowledge, and
4. Come-up with a personal/group action points.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

DAY 1
I. PRELIMIINARY MODULE
Duration : 1.5-2 Hours ( 9:30AM-12:00PM)
Materials Needed : Crayons, Markers, Kraft/Manila Paper, MetaCards, ID Card and ID Badge,
Bulletin Board, LCD Projector and Laptop

Part 1 Setting The Tone

Getting to Know

Instructions/Process :

1. Start with the usual Opening Amenities (Prayer, National Anthem, Acknowledgement of
Participants and Words of Welcome;
2. Introduce the Getting to Know Activity by first emphasizing the following:
 This activity is unlike the many other activities you have attended in DSWD
 In this activity, we are going to take an enjoyable and relaxing journey of self discovery
and relaxation
 You will learn about Mental Health and Psychosocial Support and at the same time get
yourselves debriefed as you demostrate the skills and undergo the process.
 Then ask the participants the following:
-Are you willing to take this journey with us ‘til the last day? ...If so, let’s begin.

3. Flash the slide “We look but fail to see...” and start by saying:

 In this time and age, people seem to be in a hurry all the time
 There is a lack of connection because of busy schedules, traffic, and social media
 Would you agree that often: (Read the slide):

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 -We look but fail to see
-We hear but fail to listem
-We connect with those who are far (because of social media and internet) but we tend to
lose touch with those who are near us

Human connection is important in our lives because we humans are social beings. So,
(next slide) make connecting with others a daily priority. We will that start today.

Activity 1: Connecting and Radiating Positivity

 Give the instructions for the introductions. This part allows the participants to partly disclose
themselves. Ask the participants to stand in a circle. Each one will introduce his/herself by
saying:

“Hi! I am______________________.” The fellow participants will then acknowledge by

saying “Hello __________________.” Then the participant will say a positive feeling or
mood that he/she wants to embrace for the day with correspondinig action, “Today I want to
be _______________.” Then the fellow participant will repeat the word and also act it out by
saying, “Today we will all be _______________.”

Activity 2: The Boat is Floating

Procedure:
1.) Ask the participants to stand up and be ready with the game
2.) Introduce the game by saying, “This game is originally called “the boat is sinking”. However, the
term “sinking” is negative, that’s why instead we use “FLOATING”. Then, introduce the mechanics:

Example:
Facilitator : Group yourselves according to MARITAL STATUS
(when the participants are already grouped according to the given category,
the facilitator will say )
Facilitator : May TANONG?
Participants : Pag-uusapan
Facilitator : Ang SAGOT… ipakita sa feeling (show the feeling)
(give the participants time to plan out how they will execute the answer)

(The last round should allow the participants to group themselves for the next activity.
Have the final count of the participant and make sure they are grouped into 3-4 groups)

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Part 2 : Training Overview

Group Formation

Activity 3 : Sharing in Groups

Instruct the participants to sit together as a group and distribute the ID Cards and Badge. Ask them to prepare
their own ID by draw an object that best represents themselves & name they wanted to be called in the entire
duration of the activity. Give them 5 minutes to do this. Then ask them to share it with their group for 10 mins;
Afterwards allow them to come- up with the “GROUP NAME” and CHEER (10min). Call each group to present in
the plenary.

After each group has presented, flash the expectations questions and distribute 2 color metacards per group.
One color will be for EXPECTATIONS and another for CONTRIBUTION. Give them 5 minutes to brainstorm and
instruct them to post their answer on the board.

Levellling of Expectations

Activity 4: Brainstorming/Conversation

- What do you expect to happen?

- How do you intend to use your experiences/ learning from this training?
-
Pprocess by classifying and synthesizing the answers of the participants and present Training Overview (refer to
MHPSS Opening Part 2.

Emphasize the following points when explaining the PSP Framework Slide:

The PSP Framework: The Bridge Principle

▪ introduce the bridge principle
- Know the current situation of the client
- The main goal is to help him/her go back to the normal state
▪ Our role is JUST to help, HOW?
- Help them understand the current state and the need to cross to the better state (normal)
- Make them realize what they have and what they can do (strength, resources, ability, the
reason- love ones, aspiration)
▪ It is THEM and NOT US who should choose to DO It

Behavior Contracting

Activity 5: On the Same Footing

Note: This can be optional. If you are short of time, you can skip this activity and proceed by simply
asking in plenary what behaviors are important for the success of the activity (refer to the slides).

 After the introductions, instruct the participants to remove their footwear. Tell them to stand in front
of their footwear. The facilitator will also remove his/her footwear and will stand in the center of the

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 circle. The facilitator will then say “May bagyo!”...The participants will asnwer, “Sa diin!” and the
facilitator will then identify the characteristics of whoever he/she wants to move by saying, “Sa
tanan nga_________”. Thos called should move and find a vacant set of footwear. The one left
without a place should be at the center and will be the next it. Do this for 4-5 rounds.
 Process the activity by asking the participants how they feel, what are their learnings and insights.
 Synthesize with the following Key Learning Points:

- To make this activity meaningful let us start on the same footing by leaving behind everything that
burdens us at work, by disregarding our position or status in life;
- Let us begin in the spirit of respect for each other’s individuality
- Let our attitude be non-judgemental because each one has different life experiences
- Treat others as you would want to be treated
 With this, ask the participants if they have other things in mind. Agree on the supposed behavior
and norms to follow in the entire duration of the activity

 Seal the agreement by asking the participants to give “5 Sabay sabay na palakpak”.

Note: The whole morning should be spent for the Opening Preliminaries, both Part 1 and Part 2. However, Part 2
may be done in the afternoon (for one hour only) in case there is not enough time in the morning.

Module I: Understanding Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) 9:00-

Duration: 3.5-4 hrs
Materials Needed: Water Color, Crayons, Painting Brush, Arts and Craft materials, Kraft Paper, Masking Tape
Background Music, Burn Out Test Questionnaire

Session 1: Body Map Exercise “disclosing more of selves” (01:30 – 4:30 p.m.)

 Introdduce the activity by saying that this is another Self-Disclosure activity and a fun-way of knowing
ourselves better.
 Refer to the slides (Body Map) for the instructions.
 After the participants are done with their drawings, allow each of them to share their story. Each
participants whould be able to speak. In case the group is too big, divide the participants into smaller
group.

Session 2: Burn Out

 Introduce the Burn Out Test Questionnaire
 Give the participant 5-10 minute to answer the test.
 Consolidate the scores.
 Present the slides “Burn Out”.

Check Out Activity:

Before you dismiss the participants end the day’s session on a high note with a stretching exercise, a clap or a
dance exercise.

Day 2

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MORNING PRELIMINARIES 8:00-9:00
Duration: 1 Hour- 1 Hour and 30 Minutes
Materials Needed: Soft instrumental music.

Devotional: “Me Time”

Start the day by introducing the power of silence. Play soft music and instruct the participants to silently
reflect on what they are thankful about in their lives. After some time, gather the participants in a circle and let
them speak a word or phrase only about what they are thankful for and the blessings they received in life. Close
the devotional with a prayer, offering all blessings to God.

Energizer

 Still in a circle, introduce the Magandang Buhay Greetings:

For round one, tell the participants to move around without speaking but simply greet each other
with your eyes. No words or touching allowed. For the second round, greet each other by touching
and looking, but still without uttering words. For the last round, tell the participants to now greet
each other by speaking up.

 Gather participants feedback, synthesize and then emphasize the following points:

-limiting self expression is difficult

-it walways feels good to be heard
-it is important to express yourself so you will be understood and so we can also understand
others
-many who suffer mental health problems do not know how or do not have people to talk to
that is why reachng out to them is important

 Flash the next slide and ask the participants to give a word each on how they feel about
yesterday’s activity

 Introduce the “Circle of Solidarity”: still in circle; extend right arms inside; thumbs up, twist it
counter clockwise, CONNECT and shout the group’s battlecry.

Session 3: Understanding DisasterPhases of Disaster Response (09:00 – 09:45 a.m.)

Duration: 45 Minutes to 1 hour
Materials Needed: Powerpoint Presentation

Activity 1: Orchestra
 Arrange the participants per group
 Allow them to choose an instrument and let them produce the sound
 To the tune of “Kon kita magtililipon” let them play the instrument with the corresponding
sounds
 The facilitator will act as conductor
 Add viariation by asking them to produce the sound with feeling such as sad, happy,
excited, feeling pained, afriad etc.
 Ask the participants how they feel about the activity
 Process and stress teh followiing points:

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 -having fun and laughing our hearts out is one way of coping with stress
-laughter as they say is the best medicine, and one way of pouring out emotions

 Present Session 3 Slides: Understanding Phases of Disaster

Note: If the discussion gets monotonous, you may introduce “Breaking the Scipt” by asking the
participants to stand and rais etheir hands while shaking three times and saying their names “ I
am________”. Then tell them to drop their hands and say “I am okey”

Session 4: Concepts of Trauma (09:45 – 11:00 a.m.)

Activity: Catch Me Exercise

 Identify group leaders depending on the number of participants. Give them one stuffed toy each.
 Ask the first leader to choose his/ her group members by throwing the stuffed toy to any person
across him/her. Tell them to take note of their group members. Same goes to the rest of the
leaders.
 Start the exercise by throwing the toys to the leaders. They in turn will start throwing the toys
continuously to their identified members. The facilitators will then start removing members of the
group to disrupt the whole process.
 Process: what happened? Why is that so? What’s the result? – expected answers: disorder,
disempower, disconnected
 Then connect to the presentation on disaster and trauma. Present the Session 4: Concepts of
Trauma.

Session 5 : Key Concepts of MHPSS (11:00 – 12:00)

Activity: I am A Table

 The facilitator will give categories/kind of table and anybody from the group can volunteer to
become a table by going in the middle of the room and saying “I am a table”.
 The rest of the groups should think of nay object that is related to that table, say what he/she is and
connect to the person in the center.
 This should go on and on until the group has run out of things/objectis to connect with the table’
Examples:

Table in the Church

Table in the Office
Table in the Wet Market
Table in the Clinic

 Ask the participant how they feel. Connect their answers with alertness, taking roles and
volunteering;
 Key Points:
-We all took roles depnding on the kind of table and in doing so you were quick and alert in taking
on the roles without hesitation. The same is true during disaster, particularly in doing MHPSS.
 Present the succeeding slides on “Concept of Trauma”
 Close the morning session on a light note with the following activity:

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Activity: Group Singing “Si Felimon, Si Felimon”
 Sing the song together
 Change the syllables into “a”, “e”, “i”, “o”, “u”
 Break for LUNCH

Session 6: Well Being, Resiliency and Coping (01:30-02:00 p.m.)

Activity: Satir Exercise

 Instruct the participants to find a partner. Facing their partner, they have to look into each other’s
eyes and guess what the other is thinking about.
 Assign someone to act as the accuser and the other one to be the accused. The accused should
kneel on a begging position while the other partner should stand with a vindictive look/accusive
position over the partner. Tell them to freeze their action for a second and then change or reverse
position.
 Process the activity by asking:

-what were on your minds while looking at each other?

-how was the feeling being the accuser? the accused?

 Synthesize and provide the following input with the concepts of helping people in the Powerpoint
Presentation:

 KLP: concepts in helping people (c/o slide)

- pantay
- understand
- non-judgemental attitude
Introduce the different coping strategy that will be covered in the training (c/o slide)

Benson’s Technique Meditation:

Activity : “Bear and Trees”

 Ask for a volunteer to act as the “Bear”. The rest will act as “Trees”. All the trees should stand still
and freeze while the Bear’s task is to do everything to make the trees react or laugh or move.
Whoever moves will turn into a tree and will also look for other trees to unfreeze. Conitnue with the
activity until everyone has turned into “Bears”
 Process by saying that in helping others, we often get no reponse or some may be too “frozen” in
their current state and would not want to move/budge. But, if we persist, we will get others to move
and they can also help us in processing others.

Activity: My Safe Space

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  Tun off the llights and ask the participant to find a comfortable space in the room. Tell them to be in
their most comfortable position.
 Play soft musicc and allow the participants to close their eyes as you guide them into meditation:

- Try to remember the place you most like, the place you wanted to go if you want to have rest
- Remember how it looks likes? And why you like that place?...

(play soft music and let them relax for 15 minutes; bring them back to active state by saying having
that picture in your mind prepare to go back at our function room. Inhale , exhale (2 x) pause…then
at the count of three you may open your eyes…1..2..3.OPEN YOUR EYES

 Process by asking them about their feelings and insights

 Instruct the participants to draw their safe space in a bond paper (15minutes)

 Each one should share teheir safe space to the group before pasting it on the cartolina

 Key Learning Points:

- each one of us has our own safe place

- each time you feel unsafe or facing trouble, struggle go back to your safe space

 Let them stand in front of their drawings, shoulder to shoulder. Instruct them to form a circle holding
the cartolina and llowing their drawing to fence them. One by one allow them to say a word about
how they feel as they go out of the circle.

 Then summarize how Benson’s technique should be done (Slides)

- Use of IEVE (imagine, Embody; Verbalize; Express)
- Elements:
quite environment
comfortable position
passive attitude
need mental device (1,2,3,4…)

Session 7: Interventions

Duration: 1 Hour and 30 minutes (3:30-5:00)

Activity : Role Play Psychosocial Processing and Psychosocial First Aid

 Ask the to count off by 2’s and instruct them to group according to their numbers, choose a leader and
do a role play. The groups will be given a situation that they will act on. The interventions need to be
demonstrated.

 Group 1 - Fire incidence - identify the rescuers, community service worker and other actors. Group 2 -
After an earthquake - identify survivors, medical officer, community service providers, who will be
involved and what are they going to do.

 They will be given 15 minutes for planning and 10 minutes for presentation. Group 1 will
observe while group 2 is performing and vice versa.

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  Processed the role play by asking the participant’s observations and what interventions were
used.

 Provide the input in the presentation “Psychological First Aid

 Close the day’s activities with an energizer or the “Unity Circle”

Day 3

Morning Preliminaries (08:00 – 09:00 a.m.)

Morning Devotional: Prayer Dance--- Dance of the Spring

 Introduce to the participants that the Dance of the Spring is a prayer dance of reconciliation. We
draw water from the spring and wash ourselves with spring water to renew us, re-energize us and
give us new life.

 Practice the steps first with the participants (refer to the video):

1. Participants will stand in a circle facing inside.

2. Take four steps forward. Draw water from the spring and clasp your hands to your bosom.
3. Take four steps backward. Sway four times.
4. Take four steps backward and raise your arms to the air.
5. Sway four times while swaying arms in the air.
6. Step forward holding hands (4 counts).
7. Sway four counts.
8. Repeat until the music stops.

 Start the activity in silence and tell the participant to do the dance in a meditative way an it is okey
to feel awkward, just offer the dance to the Lord.
 Close the dance with a prayer

Activity: Creative Recap

 In a circle, pass a glass of water around while the music is being played, and when a person spills
the water or when the music stops on him/her, it’s his/her turn to answer the question in a rolled
paper. The following are the questions for recapitulation:

- What did you enjoy most about yesterday? Let the person in your left answer the question.
- Act Out: the Accuser
- What struck you most at yesterday’s discussion?
- Pass this paper to the 5th person & let him answer the question: Share a term or concept
learned yesterday.
- Please answer…In what ways can you apply the learnings you gained?
- Sing a song to describe how you feel during disaster.

Powerpoint Presentation: Psychosocial Processing (09:00 – 10:30 a.m.)

Community Resiliency Model (10:30-12:00) c/o slides

LUNCHBREAK

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Concepts in Helping People (01:30-02:00 p.m.)

 Introduce the afternoon session by saying that, inorder to be more effective in helping others cope, we
need to be reminded of the 3Ps.

Activity: Driver and Passenger:

 Tell the participants to find a partner. One should be the driver, the other should be the passenger. The
driver shall stand inf ront of the passenger. The passenger shall put his/her hands on the shoulder of
the driver and close his/her eyes
 At the count of three the driver will move and the passenger will move witht he vehicle with eyes closed
 Process the activity by emphasizing the word “TRUST” which is necessary in the helping process

Activity: Forming a circle with the eyes closed

 Instruct the participants to spread around the hall and close their eyes
 Without opening their eyes, tell them move around and try to form one big circle by not saying anything
or touching anyone but by simply touchiing shoulders with others
 Guide the participants and tell them to open their eyes once the circle is formed
 Process by asking about their feeling and insights and emphasize the word “SENSITIVITY” which is
also imprortant in MHPSS.
 Add another concept which is LISTENING,
 Summarize the 3 Ps- Pagtitiwala, Pakikiramdam, Pakikinig.

Activity : Coping Hands Activity (02:00 – 03:30 p.m.)

Objective: to make them aware of their own coping strategy/ resources (internally & externally)

Procedures:
▪ Ask everybody to stand beside the table provided (blank poster prepare and crayon should be
ready at the top of the table)
▪ Each participant should trace his/her palm. Divide it into three parts according to the coping
strategy an individual usually do.
▪ Ask the participants to connect to another three palms…. (this means that aside from their own
coping strategies (resources) they can ask help from others (the importance of a network/ support
system)
▪ Color the space… dance around when the music plays; when it stops color the space in front of
you. Repeat the process until all the spaces are colored.
▪ Close it with a commitment on what to LEAVE and what to BRING with them: “ I leave (NEGATIVE)
and bring with me (POSITIVE)”
▪ Gather Feedback, summarize and close

Activity : Tree of Self Care (03:30-05:00 p.m.)

Materials: have a prepared drawing of a large tree that will be posted in the wall
Parts of the tree:

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 ▪ ROOTS – your strength/ skills/ talents
▪ GROUND – self-care & stress management activities
▪ TRUNK – achievements, self determination
▪ OUTSIDE THE TREE – support networks (friends, family, etc.)
▪ LEAVES – wishes and dreams
▪ FRUITS – learning and insights gained from this workshop

Closing Rituals: in Circle – impression, message and prayer (05:00 – 06:00 p.m.)

 Get the participant’s impressions

 Have a Closing Message from the most senior staff
 Close with a Prayer Dance- Pilgrim Walk:

1. Participants to stand in a circle with their left hand on their chest nd their right hand on
their shoulder.
9. Take three steps forward and a step backward.
10. Repeat till the music stops.

-END-

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