More resources, human and financial, are needed to strengthen UP’s mental health initiatives. This was the bottom-line of the recommendations presented by representatives of the University’s various sectors—students, faculty, staff, and mental health practitioners—during the UP System Mental Health and Wellbeing Conference (MHWC) on October 11-12 in UP Los Baños.
They pushed for the continuation of support programs that were started during the COVID-19 lockdowns and called for more intensified efforts across all UP campuses, benefitting all sectors of UP. These included, among others, the continuous training of mental health advocates, sustained financial support for consultations and medications, additional mental health professionals, mental health breaks for all, pedagogical review, and the institutionalization of mental health units, not just programs. All of these in accordance with Republic Act No. 11036 or the Mental Health Act enacted in 2018.
In his message, UP President Angelo Jimenez declared, “What is at stake is no less than the salvation of our community and our society.” He revealed that the conduct of the conference was one of his first instructions as UP president to Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs (Student Affairs) and Office of Student Development Services Director Ma. Shari Niña Oliquino, adding that he felt very strongly about mental health and wellbeing as problems in this area have gotten worse because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jimenez emphasized the University’s commitment to its responsibility to “develop strong minds, resilient souls, and courageous spirits.”
MHWC plenary speakers were UP Professor Emeritus and former UP Diliman chancellor, Dr. Michael Tan, who talked about “Ginhawa, Wellness and the Academe: Sociocultural Perspectives”; UP Manila Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Chair, Dr. Evangeline Bascara-Dela Fuente, who discussed “Mental Health and Wellbeing of Filipinos”; and UP Diliman PsycServ Director, Dr. Divine Love Salvador, who delivered her and UP Professor Emeritus Violeta Bautista’s presentation on “The Place of Mental Health and Wellbeing in UP’s Educational Philosophy”. The UP sectoral representatives proceeded to their breakout sessions after the plenary to discuss recommendations, guided by the insights of the three speakers.
Closing off MHWC was UP Executive Vice President Jose Fernando Alcantara, who said that the recommendations will be compiled and utilized in the crafting the implementation plan. He also expressed hope for a 2024 conference so that progress reports on the recommendations may be presented.
