Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion takes part in World Mental Health Day, gives premium on troops’ mental health
The 53rd Infantry “Matapat” Battalion (53IB) launched a Mental Health Program for Military Combatants thru a one-day seminar-workshop with a theme “Conquering the Enemy within Me” on October 9, 2020, at 53rd IB Headquarters, Camp Sabido, Guipos, ZDS.
Top photo: The Matapat Troops together with Ms. Eden Pingkian in Group Counseling
This is in preparation of the World Mental Health Day today, October 10.
The seminar-workshop was spearheaded by Dr. Moibe Olitres, Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy Practitioner, the founder of Goodlife Psychological Services in Pagadian City. Along with her were Ms. Imari T. Akir, Ms. Eden D. Pingkian, and Ms. Darlene Daryl S. Nayo, RSW, MSW as facilitators and lecturers and Pastor John S. Evangelista, Jr., Spiritual Life Coach of Victory Church.
Based on scientific studies, PTSD is a leading cause of morbidity in military personnel and an important impediment to operational readiness in military organizations.
To address this, the seminar-workshop dealt on the flourishing factors that contribute to a well-lived body, soul, and spirit.
According to Ms. Olitres, the lectures on the said seminar-workshop aspired on freeing Authentic Happiness and Spiritual Nourishment to every soldier away from home amid COVID time.
In his message, 53rd IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera expressed his gratitude to Ms. Moibe’s team for looking to the mental and spiritual well-being of military personnel.
“Heroes need heroes too. We always brag of being the toughest and bravest but deep down in our minds and hearts, sometimes, we are weak and fragile,” said Lt. Col. Herrera
“This day, we learned that it is okay not to be okay,” Lt. Col. Herrera added.
