Eighteen personnel from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) attended a stress debriefing session organized by the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) at Camp Alfredo M. Montelibano Sr. in Brgy. Estefania, Bacolod City, on Wednesday, Aug. 13.
The activity gathered participants from 10 city and municipal police stations, including Cadiz, Kabankalan, San Carlos, Binalbagan, Candoni, Cauayan, Don Salvador Benedicto, Hinigaran, Ilog, and Toboso, a press release from the PRO NIR said.
The group included 17 males and one female who had recently experienced stressful or traumatic incidents in the line of duty.
The session was facilitated by Regional Medical and Dental Unit-6 personnel led by PMaj. Junette P. Cañete.
She said that stress debriefing is a structured process that helps individuals process traumatic events, manage emotional fatigue, and reduce the risk of long-term mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, or depression.
PNP Regional Director, BGen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, also said the initiative is part of the agency’s commitment to the overall well-being of its personnel.
“Our men and women in uniform face high-risk, emotionally demanding situations every day. It is our responsibility to ensure they are physically, mentally, and emotionally prepared,” he said.*