Americares Philippines to Continue Mental Health Support for Cebu Earthquake Survivors

In response to the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that impacted Cebu on September 30, Americares Philippines, a health-centered development organization, is set to continue its psychological assistance to affected communities. Following its initial deployment in October, mental health teams visited the towns of Medellin, Bogo, and Borbon, where they offered support to vulnerable populations including children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Operating under the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Program (MHPSS), Americares has been facilitating sessions aimed at emotional healing, resilience building, and the reinforcement of local mental health infrastructures.

Dr. Robert Cañete, Americares' mental health consultant and psychologist, shared in a recent interview that the organization plans to return in the upcoming weeks to reassess survivors' conditions. "Typically, returning about a month after the disaster is effective to evaluate how individuals are coping, as some may begin to exhibit symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, which needs to be identified early," Cañete explained.

He further noted that future missions will prioritize child survivors, acknowledging that their initial visits were able to assist only a limited number of children. "Our observations indicate that most adults are managing well, but a significant number of children were missed. We intend to find ways to ensure these children receive the necessary psychological support," he added.

Currently, Americares is collaborating with the Archdiocese of Cebu and the parish priest of San Remigio and is actively seeking additional partners to broaden the scope of mental health assistance for the earthquake-affected communities.