𝟏𝐬𝐭-𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐈𝐒𝐔-𝐂𝐂 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬
First-year National Service Training Program (NSTP) and Medical Service students gathered for a mental health awareness event entitled “Red Flag of Anxiety and Depression: Identifying Early Warning Signs and Effective Interventions,” held at the Isabela State University-Cauayan Campus (ISU-CC), September 28.
In light of the concerning number of suicidal occurrences, ISU-CC recognized and addressed these issues to safeguard the overall well-being of its students.
This event aimed to equip students with knowledge and tools to identify and intervene in cases of mental health distress and teach how anxiety and depression affect the students’ behavior.
Moreover, Dr. Charibel Matalang, Psychometrician and the resource speaker, discussed the importance of companionship and coping mechanisms as they faced mental health challenges.
Matalang promoted awareness and emphasized that mental health should be addressed, not discarded, by stating, “Tanggalin na natin ang stigma and seek help to [from] the professionals.”
“Huwag po kayong mahiya, Nariyan naman ang ating Guidance Counseling Unit o pwede din kayong lumapit sa akin if you have some concerns,” she added.
She also empowered students to develop resilience in coping with mental health concerns and advised students to engage in activities that help them to relax and unwind.
With this, Armando Santos, from the College of Business and Management, shared his stress management technique.
“Ako po talaga, personally, I manage stress through sleep because I firmly believe that our physical and our mental health needs rest,” Santos said.
In addition, University Director for the NSTP, Dr. Aquim Verzon, highlighted the importance of the program.
“Inaasahan ng pamunuang ito na kayo ay lubos na makipag-participate upang makilala ninyo, natin ang ating mga weaknesses, strengths, ang ating mga sarili upang maging mentally, socially resilient and capacitated despite experiencing mental disturbances,” Verzon shared.
The event concluded with questions and answers, followed by another program about Bomb Threat Awareness tackled by Police Senior Master Sergeant Robert Najchuman of the K9 unit.
by Irish Santos
————————–
Stay informed! Follow the official Facebook page of The Kawayan Communicator, official student publication of Isabela State University-Cauayan Campus, for the latest updates, news, and events.
kawayancommunicator.cauayan@isu.edu.ph