Miriam College Social Work faculty and alumni join hundreds of Filipino social workers nationwide offering free, confidential and online psychological first aid and psychosocial support services to those affected by COVID-19 pandemic and the Enhanced Community Quarantine.

“The current pandemic has caused heightened stress, depression and anxiety, reduced social support due to isolation and increased financial and food insecurity requiring psychosocial interventions from social workers”, says Asst Prof. Pacita Dechavez Fortin, chairperson of the Department of Social Work.

Social workers are professionally trained as first responders and frontline workers in crises situations, addressing psychosocial issues and immediate basic necessities of those affected, according to her.

Asst Prof. Fortin leads the National Capital Region (NCR) group of the United Registered Social Workers (United RSW), a network of eight (8) national social work associations in the Philippines promoting the mental health and psychosocial well-being of Filipinos affected by the COVID-19.

United RSW is composed of about 500 volunteer social workers nationwide, operating in 17 regions, the Bangsamoro autonomous region, and a special unit for overseas Filipino workers. They extend their expertise in therapeutic communication, case management, referrals, networking, and resource mobilization, using their mobile phones, social media platforms and personal connections while staying at home for the quuarantine.

Requests for assistance or referral of individuals or groups needing psychological first aid or psychosocial support may be sent to unitedrswncr@gmail.com and at +63966-8752-396.