“We should not limit ourselves with specific knowledge lang, [but] we can help people who are suffering kasi maybe you are the light na ginahanap nila and you should always be thankful din sa mga tao nagtulong sayo to cope up with those struggles.”
These were emphasized by Noraica C. Cabalo, a third-year student from the College of Agriculture, a member of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Team (MHPSS) of the Office of Guidance and Counseling (OGC), participant of the program, SunTALK: Basic Psychosocial First Aid Training, by the Supreme Student Council (SSC) in collaboration with the OGC, Office of the Student Affairs (OSA), and various college organizations at the Regional Science Research Center (RSRC), last March 2.
“I’m here and I’m very thankful, it is an honor to be part of this event kasi andami kong narealize, andami kong natutunan and specifically, sabi nga ni Dr. that “there is no help without mental health”, we have to recognize na di lang physical pain ang nafi-feel ng isang tao but we also have mental health problems and conflict na hindi ma recognize ng everyone, that is why important na ma acknowledge natin na at some point na we're experiencing some mental health problem, in need of help and we should tap people who are knowledgable enough” Cabalo expressed.
The said training aimed to equip student leaders in providing basic psychological first aid training and discuss matters on mental health, ceasing stigmas, addressing mental problems, and amplifying social support in and outside of the university as facilitated by the OGC and Panginam Healing and Wellness Center (PHWC) of MSU-main campus.
One MSU
Dr. Aminoding P. Limpao, a faculty from MSU-Marawi, chair of Psychology and Related Services, and director of PHWC, said in an interview that he was beyond grateful that the MSU-Gensan campus was their first sister school to commence the said activity and did not get wrong in accepting the invitation.
“You guys are very impressive, sana mapatuloy ito, your potential is actually magnanimous and sana hindi na maulit kung ano man ang mga nangyari few months ago kasi meron na kayong mga mental health warriors, you’re in the right track cause you will become happier, more successful ‘cause you can manage your mental health,” Limpao stated while encouraging the young leaders to take part on mental health awareness.
Limpao discussed topics on mental health which led to a broader understanding and assessment of one’s being and noted that it's okay not to be okay but only for a time.
In addition, he further elaborated the basic PFA and counseling skills and taught self-care understanding emotions, and how to handle things as the amplifier through meditations.
Moreover, Ms. Miara Fatima M. Mapandi, RPm, MH officer at the PHWC extended the talks on understanding Mental Health and Psychosocial Support and conducted listening workshops where the participants acted as listeners and clients, discussed and exchanged roles.
Bottleneck of the time
“This is commendable in a way that this is a proactive measure in a way we address, mental health problems, awareness and how we address on prevailing na mga problema ngayon in our youth na nauwi talaga sa hindi magandang pangyayari,” Michelle D. Lawas, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs quantified.
VCAA expressed that because of that, they are driven to offer BS Psychology. The manpower for the Guidance and Counseling is not sufficient to handle 12,000 students and in AACUP, there is a need for one guidance counselor per college but the university cannot afford and, aside from affordability, the guidance and counseling workforce are hard to find.
She also emphasized that until now, the university has undergone a bottleneck when it comes to guidance and counseling.
“You are the voice now, the workforce that somehow helps OSA manpower our people in guidance and counseling to be subsequent, kaagapay po nila kasi di talaga makaya with the number of students in our university,” she added.
First-aiders
Moreover, Limpao also encouraged the students that they were the best resources MSU-Gensan can have, and the best person to understand how their co-MSUan feel. They should join the fight, join the advocacy, accept the challenge, definitely, change the world, and make it a better place.
“There are times that we are actually down in life that we might be needing somebody to lift us up, but there are also times that we don’t need help. So, let us be real with our emotions, accept our emotions, and let's face our emotions para ng sa ganun we can seek help,” Limpao expressed.
While, Gellie Davalos, SSC president also said that they cannot really do the program without the help of the administration. The admin was the one who contacted the facilitators coming from Marawi, most especially the people coming from the office of Guidance and Counseling together with Maam Hania-Persia F. Usman who was very hands-on when it came to preparation.
“My message to those MSUans, especially those who trained, ‘di magtatapos ang ating responsibility, ang ating commitment dito lang sa 4 corners ng RSRC. We have so much in our University and our community, start natin slowly in our school, makipag tulungan sila at sana tulungan nila kami, ang SSC, ang office of the Guidance and Counseling na magkaroon pa ng more mental health advocates at PFA at para rin naman sa atin na MSUan,” Davalos stated.
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