THERE IS HOPE. Psychology students lead the celebration of the World Mental Health Day on October 10 at Xavier University with the theme, "Healing Minds, Transcending Stigma, Fostering Hope." Supplied photo.
By Rio Rosal Baliling
The Xavier University community celebrated the World Mental Health Day on Monday, October 10 with a campus-wide campaign bearing the theme, "Healing Minds, Transcending Stigma, Fostering Hope."
XU psychology students frontlined the advocacy as this year’s aim was to provide psychological first aid and support to people with mental illness (PMI).
"No one will understand the importance of mental health unless someone sacrifices comfort and convenience by staying outdoor for hours and going beyond one’s comfort zone and talk to strangers," said XU psychology faculty member Maita Ignacio.
The XU psychology community joined with the rest of the world in this advocacy. The campaign was mounted to raise awareness and to touch the hearts and consciousness of people on the risks and effects of labeling PMI with harsh and disrespectful terms.
SMILES. XU students strike a pose at the photobooth in one of the six stations mounted by XU psychology students in line with the World Mental Health Day celebration. Supplied photo.
Six stations around XU
The XU-wide campaign was a whole day activity where six stations were positioned around the campus. To spread awareness outside the university, the XU community members posted messages on social-networking platforms with #WorldMentalHealthDay and #MHActNow. Social media users also encouraged those in depression to open up about their problems and seek positive company.
One station gave out ribbons that symbolized the worldwide celebration and asked Xavier Ateneans to sign the petition urging the country’s lawmakers to pass the recently-filed Philippine Mental Health Act of 2016.
The Philippine Mental Health Act "aims to protect the rights of people with mental disorders and/or disabilities by putting in place an official body that will oversee the policies and programs that need to be developed to prevent and treat mental illnesses, and to promote the mental health of Filipinos."
Other stations of the campaign included a sympathy wall where XU community members affixed their thumbmarks on the wall to pledge in breaking the stigma against people with mental illness. Words of encouragement for one’s self and for PMI were also written on the freedom wall situated at the Magis canteen.
Photo booths were stationed in line with the celebration while psychology students carried posters and placards telling people who are having a hard time that they are not alone in the battles they are facing and that there is hope.
The event also wanted to uplift the spirit of the students in time for the finals week.
REFLECT AND SHARE. Messages of hope and encouragement are posted on the sympathy wall, one of the six stations mounted by XU psychology students in line with the World Mental Health Day celebration. Supplied photo.
Importance of mental health
The XU psychology community also vows to celebrate the World Mental Health Day annually at Xavier every October 10 to spread the awareness, give hope, and ripple positivity.
Mental health is defined as "a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community."
The World Health Organization (WHO) underscored the importance of mental health by including it in their definition of health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."
The WHO warned that "if we don’t act urgently, by 2030 depression will be the leading illness globally." ∎
DON'T GIVE UP. Psychology students lead the celebration of the World Mental Health Day on October 10 at Xavier University with the theme, "Healing Minds, Transcending Stigma, Fostering Hope." Supplied photo.