The PUP Sentral na Konseho ng Mag-aaral hosted “KAKAYANIN! Protecting your Mental Health Amidst the Pandemic” webinar via Zoom video conference and Facebook live streaming earlier today, October 30.
In one with the rest of the mental health advocates in the country fighting to end the stigma, this webinar aims to raise the level of awareness, especially among the youth, to be able to create healthy coping mechanisms and start prioritizing their mental health.
Hosted by PUP-SKM President Jonero Dacula, the webinar started with Prof. Jarvin Tan as the first guest speaker. Tan is a registered pharmacist and a faculty member of the University of Sto. Tomas, Department of Pharmacy. He is also an active mental health advocate actively supporting the #MoveforMH. However, due to technical problems, Tan’s talk was not broadcasted on Facebook live and has already left the zoom meeting before it was aired.
A pre-recorded video by the second guest speaker, Dr. Gia Sison was then presented in the webinar. Sison specializes in Occupational Medicine, graduated from the University of Sto. Tomas, and is a breast cancer survivor. She is also the leader for Live-strong Foundation and an active mental health advocate who helps and offers healthy coping mechanisms mostly to the youth sector.
In her talk, Sison discussed self-care during the pandemic as well as ways on how to cope up with bad stress, burnouts, and online class works. “You can’t care for others unless you start taking care of yourself,” she stated while reminding the audience that everybody deserves to be cared for. She also advised everyone to “Take a Pause, Look into yourself, and Seek out Support if needed”.
Moreover, videos promoting mental health awareness were previewed aiming to open the minds of people in talks of mental health and to be able to break the stigma surrounding this issue.
The third speaker was Dra. Ronilda Co, director of the Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Service (DRRMS) of the Department of Education, and an advocate for the mental well-being of the youth sector. On behalf of Co who was not available at that time due to technical errors, Joan Llamado, representative of DRRMS delivered the talk. Llamado gave an overview of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Program (MHPSS), together with its past, on-going, and future programs. They have been releasing materials for elementary and secondary learners, parents, guardians, caregivers, and learners with disabilities to help them get ready for the online classes as well as to promote MHPSS.
At the end of the talk, Co entered the meeting to answer questions from the audience and furtherly explained the projects they have following the said mental health program prepared.
A message from Sen. Risa Hontiveros, one of the champions in mental health advocacy as well as policy engagement towards the Senate of the Philippines, was also relayed recognizing the commitment of the fellow youth mental health advocates in amplifying the voice and showing that the mental health issue is a priority for every youth in the country.
Ellenor Joyce Bartolome, current PUP Student Regent and also a proud mental health advocate, ended the webinar with a message to all of those experiencing hardships reminding them that she is there and ready to listen and help. She also took the opportunity to call for better programs and plans from different organizations and sectors to prioritize and give attention to the issues regarding mental health.
At the end of the webinar, artworks were flashed containing messages, promoting mental health and aiming to finally break the stigma. - Julia Raine Morales/ The Freehand News
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