DSWD chief stands firm on mental health issues; kicks off pilot implementation of Tara, Usap! Program in Valenzuela City

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Thursday (August 13) reaffirmed the national government’s commitment to combating mental health issues that increasingly affect today’s youth and Filipino households.

“Naniniwala ako na when we do this pilot well, we can replicate it again to other cities, other areas, or other schools in the country. Nandito lang naman kami [sa Valenzuela] from time to time, i-kwento niyo sa amin kung ano ang magiging experience niyo dito sa mga safe spaces na gagawin natin so that when we launch it nationwide, maganda na ‘yung programa,” the DSWD chief said during the Tara, Usap! Program launch at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela (PLV) on Thursday.

In his message, Secretary Gatchalian said that through the new Tara, Usap! Program, the DSWD encourages Filipinos to normalize discussing their struggles, thereby alleviating anxiety, depression, and loss of interest in life.

“Hindi naman kailangan na mental wellness professional ka agad eh. So many studies have shown that very helpful ‘yung makwento mo ‘yung pinagdadaanan mo. Hindi kailangan ng higher level of intervention most of the time. All you need are people willing to dedicate time in a safe space para magkwentuhan,” the DSWD chief pointed out.

The Tara, Usap! Program is an initiative of the National Program Management Office (NPMO) of the DSWD’s Tara, Basa! Program. The initiative capacitates youth beneficiaries—who serve as Youth Development Workers (YDWs) and Tutors during the 20-day ‘Tara, Basa! sessions’—to become catalysts for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) within their communities.

Undersecretary Edu Punay of the DSWD’s Innovations and Program Development Group (IPDG) explained that the new program features youth beneficiaries serving as ‘Peer Facilitators.’

These facilitators will lead the ‘Youth Tara, Usap! Circles,’ which consist of eight weekly structured sessions, according to Undersecretary Punay. One trained facilitator and three youth participants compose each circle.

The participants join voluntarily to strengthen their mental health, psychosocial well-being, and healthy coping mechanisms through guided peer support, psychoeducation, and wellness activities.

“Atin pong na-realize na hindi lamang po ang pinansyal na pangangailangan ng mga kabataan ang kailangang tugunan, ngunit pati na rin ang psychosocial at psychological needs nila. Dito sa Tara, Usap! magkakaroon tayo ng oportunidad para sa mga Kabataan sa Bagong Pilipinas na magsilbi bilang peer support sa isasagawang school-based wellness strategies para sa kanilang kapwa kabataan,” Undersecretary Punay said.

The local government unit of Valenzuela City expressed strong optimism and support for the program’s pilot implementation.

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela (PLV) President Dr. Nedeña Torralba expressed her gratitude to the DSWD for choosing their university as the primary platform for this mission—promoting mental wellness and restoring hope, joy, and purpose among Filipinos and their families.

“Buo ang suporta ng Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela sa DSWD upang tiyakin na maging matagumpay at makabuluhan ang tuloy-tuloy na pagyabong ng programa upang mag-iwan ng positibong tatak sa buhay ng bawat isa. Maraming salamat sa DSWD sa patuloy na pagtitiwala sa ating pamantasan,” Dr. Torralba said.

The new program encompasses four core components: Capability-Building, Tara, Usap! Circles, Referral Pathway, and Subsidies.

Capability-building activities for selected Peer Facilitators will commence before the end of October and expects to conduct the Tara, Usap! Circles Sessions in November.

The DSWD will also extend financial assistance to Peer Facilitators through the program’s cash-for-training (CFT) component.

The program’s referral pathway ensures that youth beneficiaries experiencing mental health and psychosocial concerns receive timely, appropriate, and coordinated support.

Tara, Usap! Focal Persons will refer beneficiaries needing specialized intervention to appropriate support services, including the Higher Education Institution’s Guidance and Counseling Office, Health Services Office, Local Government Unit (LGU), DSWD programs and services, or accredited mental health and psychosocial support service providers. (KB)

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