University of Luzon Celebrates Mental Health Awareness Month with Engaging Festival

The University of Luzon (UL), through its Guidance Center, in collaboration with the Youth Peer Organization and Psychenosi, successfully concluded the Mental Health Festival on November 14, 2023. The festival, held in conjunction with World Mental Health Awareness Month, aimed to raise awareness about mental health issues and promote a supportive and inclusive campus environment.

The festival’s theme, “Mental Health As A Universal Human Right,” resonated with the importance of acknowledging and addressing mental health concerns as a fundamental right for all individuals. The event featured a seminar and workshop conducted by UL’s very own guidance counselors, Ms. Sharmaine Lopez and Ms. Marge Viado.

Ms. Lopez’s seminar, titled “The SSS of Mental Health: Signs, Stigmas, and Solutions,” provided valuable insights into identifying signs of mental health struggles, dispelling common stigmas associated with mental illness, and exploring practical solutions for promoting mental well-being.

Following the seminar, Ms. Viado led a workshop titled “Gemeinschaftsgefühl: Gearing Towards a Mentally Healthy Community.” The workshop emphasized the importance of fostering a sense of community and belonging, highlighting its role in promoting mental health and resilience.

Alongside the seminar and workshop, the festival featured several interactive booths involving games and activities related to mental health and psychology. These booths offered an engaging and fun way for students to learn about mental health issues, participate in self-reflection, and connect with peers.

Simultaneously, the festival hosted a series of contests centered around mental health, including poster-making, slogan-making, spoken poetry, and filmmaking. These contests provided students with a platform to express their creativity, raise awareness, and advocate for mental health issues.

The fun booths, seminar, and workshop took place in the multi-purpose hall, while the contests were held in the AVR (Audio-Visual Room). This arrangement ensured that students could easily navigate between activities and engage in the various aspects of the festival.

The Mental Health Festival served as a valuable platform for UL to promote mental health awareness, encourage open dialogue about mental health issues, and foster a supportive campus environment where students feel comfortable seeking help when needed. The festival’s success highlights the university’s commitment to prioritizing the well-being of its students and creating a supportive community that embraces mental health as an integral part of overall well-being.