SLSU Faculty Collaborates with International Scholar to Highlight Positive Coping Strategies Among Students After Disaster

Allan M. Abiera, a faculty member at Southern Leyte State University, wrote a letter to the editor of the Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, highlighting the relevance of narrative analysis in understanding how students cope with disasters. The letter calls for qualitative research in public health centered on the distinctive struggles faced by youth during and after catastrophic events.
The letter discusses a study on college students in Southern Leyte impacted by Super Typhoon Rai, locally known as Odette. It reveals how these students managed the aftermath of the storm, demonstrating their coping strategies and emphasizing behaviors that can inform preventative medicine and public health efforts.

This research aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal No. 3 of the United Nations, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all. By examining the coping strategies of youth following disasters, the study highlights the need for mental health support and empowerment in vulnerable communities.

By delving into disaster response and the resilience of young people, SLSU plays a vital role in meaningful discussions about public health. The university actively supports efforts to help those impacted by disasters, displaying its commitment to nurturing the well-being of the community.