DOH – Ilocos Regional Mental Health Coordinator Dr. Magnolia I. Brabante encouraged senior high school learners to practice self-care to reduce stress, avoid burnout, and maintain and enhance their overall health and well-being during her lecture on mental health awareness at the Dagupan City National High School in Pangasinan where the last leg of the “Lusog-Isip”Caravan was successfully held on October 20, 2023.
THE Department of Health (DOH) successfully ended yesterday the provincial tour of its “Lusog-Isip”Caravan: An Integrated Approach to Mental Health in celebration of the National Mental Health Week 2023, which targeted various senior high school learners aged 13-17 including teachers and educating them about mental health to enable them to recognize behavioral, emotional, and social problems such as depression, anxiety, and social withdrawal.
“Walang health, kapag walang mental health!” was the message of Assistant Rodolfo M. Albornoz during the last leg of the mental health caravan held at the Dagupan City National High School in Pangasinan. “Being healthy is more than just having good physical health, it also means good mental health and wellness.”
“Ang mental health ay isang mahalagang bahagi ng ating pangkabuuang kalusugan. At ito rin ay mahalaga sa ating pangkabuuan at indibidwal na abilidad upang makapagtrabaho, makapag-isip, makaramdam at mabuhay ng wasto,” he stated.
Albornoz also encouraged students to talk about their feelings and stressed that seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.
The Lusog-Isip Mental Health Caravan was launched in Ilocos Norte on October 11, 2023 at the Solsona National High School in Ilocos Norte and proceeded to Provincial Farmers Livelihood Development Center in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur on October 12, 2023; Dona Francisca Lacsamana De Ortega Memorial National High School in Bangar, La Union on October 17, 2023; and at Dagupan National High School on October 20, 2023.
A total of 27 schools from various provinces participated in the activity.
Regional Mental Health Coordinator Dr. Magnolia I. Brabante, who led the conduct of the program, emphasized the importance of prioritizing and caring for the mental health of learners by removing the stigma and common myths. “Adolescent years is an important time for laying the foundations of good health kaya dapat na mabigyan ang mga SHS ng sapat na kaalaman, sapat na pag-aalaga ng kanilang mga sarili at kalusugan.”
“Layunin ng mental health program na labanan ang stigma sa mental health at maturuan ang ating mga estudyante ng tamang self-care practices para maiwasan ang pagkakaroon ng mental health problems. And we have to instill in their young minds that they are responsible for their own health,”.
Brabante added that with the recent launching of the PCMH Strategic Framework 2024-2028, the delivery of mental health programs and advocacy activities including the various health programs interrelated to mental health will be assured.
The “Lusog-Isip” Caravan was conducted in partnership with the Department of Education – Regional Office 1. Senior high school learners were provided lectures on HIV awareness, teenage pregnancy, oral health, SOGIE (sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), ill effects of vaping, and mental health awareness.
Among the activities included are free oral health services such as check-ups, fluoride application and extraction, and a Zumba dance contest was also held for SHS with cash prize giveaways amounting to ₱20,000 for the first prize winner, ₱15,000 for the 2nd prize and ₱10,000 for the third prize and ₱5,000 for the consolation prize.
