BONTOC, Mountain Province – Over 120 youths from the different schools of Mountain Province successfully completed the one-day symposium on mental health at the Multi-Purpose Hall on August 30, 2024, as a culminating activity for the Linggo ng Kabataan 2024 celebration.
Provincial Youth and Development Officer Arthur Leonard B. Odsey, in his opening remarks, explained to the participants that mental health plays a significant role in their holistic growth and development.
Furthermore, Odsey acknowledged and thanked Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. for giving his all-out support that resulted in the successful implementation of the symposium and all the other activities lined up for the celebration of the Linggo ng Kabataan.
On behalf of the governor, his Executive Assistant Ernesto B. Bondad underscored that one essence of celebrating the Linggo ng Kabataan is acknowledging the youths as beacons of hope, unity, and love.
In relation to mental health, Bondad pointed out that having a positive outlook in life is beneficial in maintaining a healthy state of mind.
As the Chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s Committee on Youth Affairs, Sports, and Personnel Development, Board Member Ken Paulo P. Nacnas, through his secretary Jannielyn Cabal, encouraged his fellow youths to be united in creating a safe space where people can talk openly about their feelings without fear of judgment.
Meanwhile, various speakers from the Department of Education-Schools District of Mountain Province and the Philippine National Police Provincial Office were invited to give lectures during the symposium.
Police Staff Sergeant Caleb Zimran F. Filog started the lecture with an introduction on mental health and its benefits. He defined mental health as a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community (World Health Organisation, 2022).
In addition, Filog pointed out in his lecture the significance of practising the principle of “Me Time” as a way of staying mentally healthy.
Maligcong Elementary School Head Teacher Ching E. Kilakil continued the discussion with her lecture on self-awareness, which allowed the participants to rediscover by recognizing their personalities and identifying their strengths and weaknesses. Kilakil shared that it is crucial that participants must be able to enhance their strengths and overcome their weaknesses in order to help them further know and embrace who they are.
Another topic discussed during the symposium was Dr. Gary Chapman’s five languages of love. According to Police Senior Master Sergeant Guensel T. Oloan, these five languages include words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. Oloan underscored that understanding these five languages is instrumental in enhancing communication, avoiding misunderstandings, becoming more empathetic and considerate, and building stronger relationships with other people as a whole. By Hail, MP
