13/09/2025
Project SMART in Action! โจ
Last September 9โ10, we successfully held Project SMART (School Mental Health Awareness and Resiliency Training) cm HEEADSSS and CARS Workshop for our school nurses, guidance counselors, and guidance designates.
The workshop provided participants with practical training on two vital tools:
HEEADSSS (Home, Education/Employment, Eating, Activities, Drugs, Sexuality, Suicide/Depression, and Safety) โ a structured psychosocial assessment framework, discussed by Dr. Ryan Christopher RC Buccat, Medical Officer of DepEd Nueva Vizcaya.
CARS (Child and Adolescent Resilience Scale) โ a tool for measuring resilience and mental health status of learners, facilitated by Sir Ben Clarion Llantada, SHNU Nurse and Mental Health Focal.
The sessions were highly interactive, engaging, and meaningful, fostering both learning and collaboration among participants. Beyond the technical knowledge, the atmosphere of the training encouraged openness, empathy, and shared commitment to safeguarding the well-being of learners.
As the workshop concluded, participants expressed readiness and confidence to apply their newly acquired skills in their respective schools. With the use of HEEADSSS and CARS, they are now better equipped to identify, assess, and respond to the mental health and psychosocial needs of studentsโensuring that schools remain safe, supportive, and nurturing spaces.
Project SMART continues to be a testament to the divisionโs commitment to promoting mental health awareness, building resilience, and empowering educators to care for the whole child.
