Asosasyon ng Sikolohiya sa Unibersidad ng Laguna (ASUL), in partnership with Laguna University – Community Extension Services Unit (LU–CESU), revisited Brgy. Perez, Calauan to implement the second phase of their mental health awareness program entitled “MindCare Movement: Empowering Minds, Shaping Personalities, and Promoting Mental Health Part 2,” on Sunday, May 10.
The community extension program was aimed at ensuring that the youths in Brgy. Perez is well aware of how to care for the wellness of their mental health; the ASUL allied with the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of the barangay last year to provide the same service.
Moreover, the talk was led by Mrs. Sean Feona Isaac–Dela Raga, a Registered Psychometrician and a Psychology faculty member of Laguna University (LU), who, instead of using a PowerPoint presentation, opted to sit in a circle with the seminar participants to make it more interactive.
“Isa sa mga makakatulog sa atin is yung i-na-acknowledge natin ano ba ‘yung nafi-feel natin,” Mrs. Isaac-Dela Raga initially emphasized that the first step in helping oneself to protect from mental health problems is self-awareness.
Additionally, she outlined that the second instrument to battle mental health problems is having a growth mindset, “Ang pagkakamali ay pagkakataon para matutuo,” she mentioned, explaining how people may look at mistakes as a learning process.
Furthermore, Mrs. Isaac-Dela Raga regarded having a good social support system, such as family and friends, as the third tool that the participants may utilize when faced with psychological distress.
“Pwede kasi talagang may tumulong sa atin, hindi natin kailangang sarilihin yung mga pinagdadaanan natin, hindi natin kailangang sarilihin yung mga iniisip natin,” she advocated how people can ask their support systems when everything gets tough.
More importantly, the keynote speaker provided a short activity for the participants, they were tasked to create a fan with the use of bond paper, and then were instructed to write their good traits on one side, and then their support systems on the other.
“Sa init ng mga problemang dumarating sa atin, pwedeng ito yung maging reminder natin,” she noted how important that people to get reminded of their nice characteristics and people who support them when they are facing troubles. Lastly, she highlighted how important religion and spirituality are in helping people protect their mental well-being. With that, she mentioned how faith gives people joy and hope and aids them in having a sense of life.
Photos:
By: Lourence Cerbo
