GBHWC announces Manggaige Ham (Mawar) crisis counseling program

"We are here" - that’s the message the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center is sharing with the community through the launch of its Manggaige Ham crisis counseling program for Typhoon Mawar survivors. 

The resource aims to provide disaster survivors with emotional support, stress reduction, and guidance on recovery options, in addition to connecting them with the necessary agencies and support networks. Manggaige Ham staff will begin conducting community-based outreach through home visits throughout the villages, starting up north in Dededo. 

Deputy director at Guam Behavioral Health and Wellenss Carissa Pangelinan talked about the program's launch, telling KUAM News, “Crisis counseling itself–so, these are part-time stipend paid workers through the FEMA SAMHSA grant, and what they will do, is they’re going to go knock on doors, introduce themselves, they’re really doing a real quick screening and check-in–how is everybody doing post-typhoon? And then, we’re not going to provide… they’re not licensed counselors, so they won’t be providing counseling on the spot–however, they’re trained to kind of pick up on certain identifiers, and if they recognize certain symptoms signs, they will be providing these resources to them. So, it’s brochures with information about available services, and that’s not just GBHWC.”

Pangelinan adds staff is two weeks out from beginning canvassing, concentrating firstly in the Astumbo area of Dededo. 

For more information about Maggaige Ham (Mawar) CCP, contact (671) 647-5440.