15/09/2026
AVES | TIMELINE
AVES CSOI Executive Director Facilitates “SAFE TO BE” Psychological Safety Talk for DepEd Educators in Las Piñas.
The AVES Civil Society Organization Inc. (AVES CSOI) continued its commitment to promoting mental well-being, safe learning environments, and supportive school communities as AVES CSOI Executive Director Mr. Joseph Cua was invited as a Resource Speaker for a session/seminar on Psychological Safety for Learners, Educators, and Non-Teaching Staff/Employees last September 11, 2026, at the Covered Court of Las Piñas National High School – Main, Las Piñas City.
The session, entitled “SAFE TO BE: Building Psychological Safety in School,” carried the powerful message:
Safe to Speak · Safe to Learn · Safe to Ask for Help · Safe to Be Human
The activity was attended by DepEd teachers, school principals, and staff and officers from the Guidance and Counseling Office, providing participants with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of psychological safety and its importance in creating healthier, more inclusive, and supportive school communities.
🧠 Understanding Psychological Safety in Schools
During the session, Mr. Joseph Cua discussed the importance of creating an environment where learners, teachers, and non-teaching personnel feel safe to express their thoughts, ask questions, acknowledge mistakes, seek assistance, and communicate their concerns without fear of humiliation, judgment, or retaliation.
The discussion emphasized that psychological safety is not simply about avoiding conflict or discomfort. Rather, it is about creating a school culture where individuals feel respected, heard, valued, and supported.
For learners, psychological safety can help create an environment where they feel confident to participate, learn from mistakes, ask for help, and develop their full potential.
For educators, non-teaching personnel, and guidance personnel, psychological safety can contribute to a workplace where they can share ideas, raise concerns, collaborate, seek support, and contribute meaningfully to school improvement and student well-being.
🏫 Building a SAFE TO BE School Culture
The SAFE TO BE framework highlights four important principles:
🗣️ Safe to Speak – Creating spaces where everyone can express ideas, concerns, questions, and experiences respectfully.
📚 Safe to Learn – Recognizing that mistakes are part of learning and that learners need encouragement to participate, explore, and grow.
🤝 Safe to Ask for Help – Removing fear and stigma associated with seeking assistance, guidance, or support.
❤️ Safe to Be Human – Promoting compassion, empathy, understanding, and respect for the experiences and limitations of every member of the school community.
The participation of the Guidance and Counseling Office staff and officers added an important perspective to the discussion, given their role in supporting learners and helping address concerns related to their emotional and psychosocial well-being.
💬 An Honor to Listen, Learn, and Address Concerns
For Mr. Joseph Cua, it was an honor and privilege to handle the topic of psychological safety and engage directly with educators, school leaders, and guidance personnel who openly shared their experiences and perspectives.
The session became more meaningful as participants shared their experiences, trigger points, challenges, and best practices in dealing with situations that may affect psychological safety within the school environment.
These exchanges created a safe and meaningful space for reflection, dialogue, and shared learning. Participants were given the opportunity not only to listen but also to learn from one another's experiences and explore practical ways to respond to concerns with greater empathy, understanding, and compassion.
The open discussion also highlighted that psychological safety is a shared responsibility. Teachers, school leaders, guidance personnel, and other members of the school community all have an important role in creating an environment where individuals feel safe to communicate, seek help, and be themselves.
🤝 Creating Schools Where Everyone Feels Safe to Be
AVES CSOI believes that education is not only about academic achievement. Schools should also be places where individuals can learn, grow, communicate, make mistakes, seek support, and develop as human beings.
The “SAFE TO BE: Building Psychological Safety in School” initiative reinforces the importance of putting well-being, dignity, respect, empathy, and human connection at the heart of the educational experience.
AVES CSOI extends its sincere appreciation to the Las Piñas National High School – Main, its school leadership, DepEd teachers and principals, and the Guidance and Counseling Office staff and officers for the opportunity to share this important advocacy and for their openness in sharing their experiences, concerns, and best practices.
Because every school should be a place where everyone is SAFE TO SPEAK, SAFE TO LEARN, SAFE TO ASK FOR HELP, and SAFE TO BE HUMAN.
Department of Health (Philippines)
Department of Health Regional Office IV-A Calabarzon
DILG Cavite
Office of the Provincial Youth Development Officer - Cavite
National Youth Commission
NYC CALABARZON
Youth Organization Registration Program - YORP
Cavite SK Federation
Batang Bacooreño
Office of the City Youth Development Officer - Trece Martires
Local Youth Development Office - City of Dasmariñas
City Youth Development Office of General Trias
Local Youth Development Office - Tagaytay City
Local Youth Development Office KAWIT
City of Imus - Local Youth Development Office
Las Piñas National High School - 305430 LPC