Pupils participate in the Nationwide Simultaneous School Safety Drill at the Carlos F. Gonzales High School in Barangay Maguinao, San Rafael, Bulacan, on September 3, 2026. Led by officials from the Department of Education, local government, and public safety and disaster response agencies, the event aims to strengthen school security and emergency preparedness following incidents of school violence in different parts of the country. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News MANILA — Adults should attend to children's mental and emotional well-being, especially after a traumatic incident, said Dr. Noel Reyes, medical center chief of the National Center for Mental Health.
This comes amid three school shooting incidents in previous months.
3 dead, 6 others injured in South Cotabato school shooting, officials say
"Children should feel emotionally safe, supported, and assured that trusted adults are available to help them," Reyes told state TV's "Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon".
Reyes said that it is normal for students to feel fear, confusion, and experience sleep disturbances after a traumatic incident.
He said psychosocial interventions can help minors cope with them.
"Dapat talaga na ma-understand natin yung (We really need to understand) early stress reactions," he said.
Reyes said children who witness a shooting must be constantly monitored because persistent and deep stress may also affect learning.
He echoed earlier sentiments that school must provide students with timely, compassionate, and accessible psychological support.
"Kailangan clear yung communication and safe yung environment where recovery can now begin," he said.
(Communication should be clear and the environment should be safe for recovery to begin.)
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Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development said they are giving continuous psychosocial support to children in Banga National High School in South Cotabato — as recovery will not happen overnight.
DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao also highlighted the importance of guidance from parents when it comes to these issues.
“Dapat talaga ang unang magbigay at magbahagi ng atensyon ay yung mga magulang, and other family members, and other duty-bearers,” Assistant Secretary Dumlao said.
(Parents, family members and other duty-bearers really should be the first to give them attention.)
She added: “We need to listen to them, we need to give them quality time para, again, hindi sila masyadong ma-influence ng mga risks sa digital world (so they will not be heavily influenced by risks in the digital world).”
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