Mapúa MCL Psychology Students Empower Dapdap Elementary School with Mental Health and Disaster Preparedness Skills
by Lois Gabrielle D. Tobias
On November 10, 2023, thirty (30) Dapdap Elementary School students from Grades 5 and 6 participated in a project led by B.S. Psychology students from Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL) taking up “Disaster and Mental Health Psychology.” The activity aimed to bridge the gap between age groups, raise awareness about mental health, and prepare younger students for disasters.
“Community engagement isn’t optional, it is vital,” shared by Ms. Ma. Jo Kristine Tolentino, a participating student. They understood the challenge of teaching young children about mental health. Their goal was to equip students with tools to stay safe and manage their emotions before, during, and after disasters. Age-appropriate and interactive activities encouraged participation and collaboration.
This activity formed a key takeaway on how introducing mental health concepts to children at an early age is crucial. It helps break down stigmas and fosters a more supportive and compassionate society by equipping children with tools to care for their own well-being.
Leveraging their disaster and mental health psychology knowledge, the Mapúa MCL B.S. Psychology students created interactive activities focused on the elementary students’ well-being. They introduced the concept of mental health and its importance, followed by coping skills for disaster situations. “Calmness kits” containing stress balls were also provided to help students practice relaxation techniques. Additionally, the elementary students received “kindness activity notebooks” to encourage acts of kindness towards themselves and others, fostering a sense of community support.
According to Prof. Mahjalin Araiza Diez, Program Chair of the B.S. Psychology program, these service-learning activities offer invaluable benefits for students. First, they can apply classroom knowledge (mental health concepts and coping skills) in real-world settings. Second, they gain communication, facilitation, and program development experience. Interacting with younger students fosters empathy and a deeper understanding of diverse community needs.
The B.S. Psychology program is committed to service-learning. The program always looks for new opportunities to partner with communities and create impactful experiences for their students. Looking forward, they would focus on different mental health topics relevant to specific communities, such as working with senior citizens on issues related to aging or collaborating with youth centers on topics with self-esteem and body image or other mental health concerns.