MEB PROVIDES PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT TO 1 MILLION 226 THOUSAND STUDENTS AND PARENTS IN THE DISASTER REGION

02 April 2023 09:52

The psychosocial support activities carried out by the Ministry of National Education to ensure the rapid adaptation of students and parents to social life continue from the first day of the earthquake.
 
Minister of National Education Mahmut Özer said that right after the earthquake they have provided psychosocial support services to 1 million 226 thousand 659 people consisting 782 thousand 739 students and 443 thousand 920 parents by guidance teachers and psychological counselors in ten quake-hit provinces. Mentioning that the psychological first aid was given to students, teachers and parents in order to meet the basic physical or psychological needs of the people affected by the earthquake as well as to reduce possible post-traumatic stress symptoms as much as possible, increase a more adaptive functionality and coping skills in the short and long term.
 
1 million 25 thousand students and parents were interviewed
Özer stated that approximately 1 million 25 thousand students and parents who were transferred from the earthquake zone and placed in institutions and organizations by the relevant bodies of the Ministry were interviewed and provided with psychological first aid service.
 
Stating that psychosocial support services continue in Malatya, Kahramanmaraş, Hatay and Adıyaman, which hit most by the earthquake and where education began on March 27 Minister Özer stressed that the Guidance and Psychological Counseling Services Units have been established at 44 points affiliated to guidance and research centers in these provinces. Özer stated that guidance and psychological counseling services were provided to 9 thousand 8 students and parents in Malatya, 9 thousand 849 in Kahramanmaraş, 12 thousand 677 in Hatay and 4 thousand 844 students in Adıyaman through these units.
 
Özer said that in line with the psychosocial action plan prepared by the Ministry, the earthquake psychoeducation program was started to be implemented by the guidance teachers with the opening of schools in these provinces. Stating that the psychoeducation programs on loss and grief were started to be applied to students by guidance teachers and psychological counselors, Özer added that the information sessions are also organized by guidance teachers and psychological counselors as well.
 
Pointing out that psychosocial support services are carried out by guidance and psychological counseling services in districts where schools are not opened, Özer underlined that studies on motivation, goal setting and exam anxiety are carried out for students in these provinces who are preparing for LGS and YKS. Explaining the guidance and psychological counseling services units provide information to students Özer stressed that social, emotional, academic and career developments are also supported through these studies.
 
Emphasizing that the normalization of life largely depends on the normalization of education, Minister Özer stated that they have took very rapid steps with this regard and said that, in line with the effort to normalize life, as the Ministry of National Education they have provided comprehensive psychosocial education support to students and teachers in the disaster area as they have started education. Özer said that they continue to provide such support to students and teachers.