The school is a safe environment in which to perform Psychological First Aid.

In schools in Tumaco, we are giving talks to teachers, families, and students about situations that can affect students’ mental health and how to help them stay emotionally healthy, supported by the use of:

→ Relaxation techniques for managing stress and difficulties. 
→ Healthy habits, such as exercising and eating healthy. 
→ Safe places where they can talk about their feelings and ask for help if they need it.

In educational centers, it is essential to create an environment where all students feel supported and understood. This makes it easier to identify if someone is experiencing risk, crisis, or distress. 
In the face of traumatic events, loss, or stress, the application of psychological first aid is essential . It consists of an immediate and practical support intervention aimed at restoring a sense of security, providing calm, and facilitating connection with social support networks, thus contributing to the individual’s emotional stabilization. 

It’s about offering students a place where they can speak without fear, be heard, and receive information that calms them. All of this helps them recover from the impact of what happened, regain a sense of control, and find the help they need, whether at school with counselors or psychologists, or outside of school.

These talks, in addition to providing a space to address mental health, promote the development of life skills, learning to take care of oneself, interact with others, and become more resilient in the face of difficulties. Thus, they are complemented by:

_ activities such as the Reflective Mirror Exercise , which allows adolescents to explore their identity, recognize their strengths and weaknesses, and encourage open conversation about self-image, allowing for the establishment of cordial and respectful relationships. 
– actions   such as the training  of 40 students in an emotions workshop  as  leaders,  which facilitates and   encourages the healthy expression of emotions in the classroom.

Reach: 240 students in Florida, ITPC, Misional, La Playa and Señor del Mar schools, 

Objective: To increase knowledge about the factors that influence mental health . To identify signs of potential emotional disorders or difficulties and foster resilience skills, in addition to promoting a safe, inclusive, and mutually supportive school environment.