Daanbantayan students to undergo counseling

Students in Daanbantayan National High School underwent stress debriefing to help them deal with the trauma caused by last Monday’s suicides of two of the school’s students.

A team was sent by the Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children (PCWC) by Vice Gov. Agnes Mapgale who chairs the council.

“I got a call from Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro yesterday (Wednesday) who said they need a psychologist,” she told reporters.

Eight 7th graders reportedly became hysterical after learning of the suicides of their classmates.  The team is headed by child specialist Rose Gonato and Rose Jao, assistant chief of the Provincial Social Work and Development Office.

Teachers will also undergo stress debriefing.

“We prioritized the students because three of their own died,” she said.

Suicidal

Magpale said there were three suicide cases in a span of three weeks recorded in the same government high school.

One student  killed himself after he was accused of stealing some valuables.

Last Monday, two 8th graders, both aged 15, hanged themselves.

The girl was found hanging from  the ceiling of her room with a belt around her neck.  Her male cousin was found hanging from a tamarind tree  100 meters from his home.

Corro said the girl was depressed due to family problems while her cousin was distrubed reportedly  after his teacher didn’t sign his school clearance.
The real cause of the students’ suicides is being investigated by the Department of Education.

Intervention

Magpale said they will wait for the Deped’s findings before taking further steps.

“My immediate concern is the children so we can have interventions,” she said.

Mayor Corro advised the students to be open to their parents, consult the school’s guidance counselor and pray at all times. He also asked parents to be open to their children and to understand them.

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