'Behavioral hygiene hub' promotes upkeep of troops' mental health

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 23, 2023): 'Behavioral hygiene hub' promotes upkeep of troops' mental health (By Priam Nepomuceno)

(Photo courtesy of First Scout Ranger Regiment)

MANILA – The Philippine Army (PA)'s First Scout Ranger Regiment (FSRR) is taking care of the mental health of its officers and enlisted personnel through its "behavioral hygiene hub" (BHH) at Camp Tecson in San Miguel town, Bulacan province.

"Since its establishment in 2019, the hub was originally known as the Regiment Integrated Counselling Office (RICO) but was recently renamed as BHH. The unit focuses on assisting every soldier to create goals that will help them achieve a dynamic military career. The office also gives counseling to promote development concerning both personal characteristics and interpersonal competencies," said PA spokesperson, Col. Xerxes Trinidad, in a statement Thursday.

He added that the BHH also supports the command guidance of PA chief, Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., that puts a premium on the physical and mental health of soldiers who are considered the Army’s most valuable resource.

"Some of the activities conducted by the hub involve individual and group counseling, body map activity, neuro-psychiatric testing, burn-out test, self-rating depression scale, stress management lecture, individual sharing, stress debriefing activities, pre-deployment character-building activities, trauma risk management training, and psychological first aid," Trinidad said.

Mental health seminar, workshop

Meanwhile, Trinidad said the 10th Infantry Division rolled out its Mental Health Seminar and Workshop for personnel of units assigned at Camp General Manuel T. Yan, Sr., Station Hospital in Mawab town, Davao De Oro province on Feb. 21.

"10th Infantry Division Mental Health and Resilience Center’s mental health teams conducted the first day of the program for 65 personnel from the 10th Installation and Management Battalion, 10th Division Training School, and 10th Company of K-9 Battalion. Mental health teams will conduct the program to all personnel of 10th Infantry Division headquarters until Feb. 25, 2023 and intend to reach out to all 10th Infantry Division subordinate units," he added.

Trinidad said this initiative is in line with the PA's leadership directive to ensure comprehensive, responsive and relevant mental health and well-being programs for soldiers.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1195887