On April 4, 2020 The Psychology Department of Xavier University launched its extension program, the Xavier Center for Mental Health and Research (XCMHR). It was created in order to provide teachers, students and alumni a platform where they can work hand-in-hand to practice the psychology profession, share knowledge and expertise, enhance competencies and develop an effective support system. 

As their first project, XCMHR opened their free counseling hotline on April 13, 2020 with one goal in mind. This is to help address mental health needs of individuals who may have emotional disturbances brought about by the Covid19 pandemic. Volunteer registered psychometricians provide initial assessment of clients while volunteer registered psychologists and registered guidance counselors handle counseling sessions.  

To reach the public and inform them of said counseling service, XCMHR’s social media volunteers created a Facebook page where information about the counseling hotline and various psycho-education infographics are posted. Likewise, the center worked together with the Department of Health of Region 10 to provide the city and nearby Misamis Oriental municipalities tarpaulins containing a guide for coping and wellness and a means to contact XCMHR for counseling purposes. 

Xavier Center for Mental Health and Research’s counseling hotline is open from 8 am to 4 pm, Mondays to Saturdays. Everyone who wishes to receive counseling is encouraged to contact them through phone numbers 0936-881-8973 (TM/GLOBE) and 0961-719-1291 (SMART) or through their Facebook page.

The Psychology Department thanks Xavier University, the Social Development Cluster and its volunteers for supporting XCMHR.