- October 10, 2025
Mapúa MCL’s CGC Celebrated World Mental Health Day with Engaging Activities
By: Rachelle Anne A. Abel and Angela Cecille C. Ortiz-Kare
Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL)’s Center for Guidance Counseling (CGC) organized several activities to celebrate the World Mental Health Month this October.
On October 9, 2025, CGC initiated an activity to celebrate Mental Health Month, with the theme “Kindred Minds, Collective Strength: United for Mental Wellness.” Ms. Angela Cecille Ortiz-Kare, Head of the Mapúa MCL CGC, discussed the importance of mental health and well-being of students on DZJV 1458 Radyo CALABARZON’s “Diskarte ni Daniel Castro.”
The second installment of the initiative was the Oras ng Kumustahan: “Hi, Hope! Nice to Feel You Again!” held at the Francisco Balagtas Auditorium on October 10, 2025. The event was guested by student leaders from various academic councils who courageously shared their stories, proving that resilience lies in community and vulnerability.
A Pulse Check was also part of the activities, checking the mental health of Mapúa Malayans by dropping their respective emojis based on what they felt that day. The celebration also included the “Vibe Check: Supporting Each Other’s Mental Health” Art Gallery in collaboration with the Senior High School Department. Each artwork expressed the unique and powerful voices of the SHS students, with STEM–S1113 winning 1st place, Stem–S1101 as 2nd, and STEM–S1112 as 3rd.
My Day: Mental Health Edition “Photo Contest” was also launched, sharing how students care for their mental wellness and inspire others through their snapshots. Ultimately, Jhun Michael Narido, a Multimedia Arts student, took home the 1st Place award, followed by B.S. Psychology students Caitlyn Chelsy Tan, and Micahel Angelo Navarro, respectively.
In a significant collaboration with the Mapúa MCL Human Resources Management Office (HRMO) and Mapúa Malayan Digital College (MMDC), the CGC successfully conducted the “Clear Minds, Strong Choices” webinar on October 22, 2026. This online forum, held via Zoom, featured Prof. Francis Grace H. Duka-Pante, Assistant Professor from the University of the Philippines College of Education, who provided expert insights into mental health and substance use awareness. The session concluded with a highly engaging Q&A, further enriched by the presence of Prof. Mariven W. Pavino, Dean of the College of Nursing, who shared her expertise and addressed participant inquiries, providing a comprehensive understanding of the vital topics discussed.
The “Ribbon Up and Support!” campaign is a visual testament to our community’s commitment to a safe and inclusive environment. By wearing the Red and Green ribbon, students and employees alike send a powerful message of solidarity: we stand together against bullying and in active support of mental health for all.
The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) program at Mapúa MCL is built on the principle that assistance should always be within reach. Operating under the banner of “Support Starts Here,” this initiative effectively bridges the gap between students and the vital resources they need to thrive both emotionally and academically. To ensure continuous support, the MHPSS modules are integrated into Blackboard Learn Ultra and Canvas, remaining available to students all year long.
In a collaborative effort to promote holistic well-being, the CGC partnered with the Center for Learning and Information Resources (CLIR) to present ‘Read and Recharge: Weekend Wellness.’ This initiative is designed to help the Mapúa MCL community unwind and reflect through the power of curated literature. By sharing specialized resources on our official Facebook pages every Saturday throughout October, we provide students and employees with a meaningful bridge to transition from the demands of the academic week into a more restful and restorative weekend.
In a dynamic partnership with the Corporate Communications Office (CCO), the CGC presents Film and Chill. This collaborative initiative utilizes the power of visual storytelling to promote mental health awareness in a way that is both engaging and accessible. By combining the CGC’s expertise in psychosocial support with the CCO’s strength in creative communication, we have created a unique space for students to unwind, reflect on cinematic themes of resilience, and foster community solidarity in a relaxed, low-pressure environment.
In a meaningful partnership with UGMASIKO, the CGC was invited to share its expertise through Ms. Mylde Loraine L. De Guzman, Guidance Counselor, who served as the speaker for a specialized session on “Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)” held via MS Teams. The primary goal of this engagement was to equip participants with the essential soft skills necessary for holistic development, focusing on self-awareness, emotional regulation, and the building of resilient interpersonal relationships.
These initiatives underscore the institution’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 4: Quality Education, promoting awareness and action toward holistic mental wellness.
