Mental health is a basic right of every Filipino. More and more universities are introducing services—from psychosocial and psychospiritual sessions to the buddy systemHaving been admitted to a large and prestigious private university, Chris suddenly found himself alone and isolated. His high school friends had gone to other schools, and he found himself surrounded by strangers.
Luckily for Chris, some of his friends were woke: Alarmed by his social media posts about the worthlessness of life, and how it might be better if he was just to disappear from this world, they reached out to his parents. Last Jan. 22, the implementing rules and regulations for the Mental Health Act, which was passed in June 2018, were finalized.
“Mental health is a continuum, it’s not just having or not having a disease,” says Dr. Dinah Palmera P. Nadera, resident psychiatrist of the University Health Service of the University of the Philippines Diliman. There are also other ways a student can find help. An alert professor or college secretary can spot signs of trouble—such as slipping grades, increased absences, trouble with schoolwork—and direct students to Nadera’s clinic if they suspect mental health issues are the cause.
At Ateneo de Manila University, dealing with mental health issues falls within the purview of the Loyola Schools Office of Guidance and Counseling.