The University of Rizal System’s Center for Lifelong Learning (CLL), in partnership with the Gender and Development Center and Heart Start Educators for Lifelong Learning, organized a seminar titled “Talakayang Kalusugang Pang-kaisipan para sa mga Kababaihan at Kalalakihan” under the IP CommunitY Awareness, Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (YAKAP): Serye ng Talakayang GAD, April 29, Sitio Magata, Brgy. Laiban, Tanay, Rizal.
The seminar was attended by 20 members of the community, including Mrs. Alice Teves, IPMR of the community and its chieftain. Ms. Reymily Rose Sta. Ana, Guidance and Counselor of URS Morong, served as the speaker, while volunteers from URS and DepEd Antipolo and Rizal facilitated the activity as members of Heart Start.
By creating a safe space for open discussion, participants were encouraged to share their personal experiences through the so-called “lunch date” approach. In this approach Ms. Sta. Ana divided the participants into groups which was then facilitated by the volunteers. While they were having their lunch, it became a casual setting that set the mood for a more relax and welcoming space among the participants to talk about their personal struggles and success. After the break-out sessions, all participants returned to the plenary session, in which, both the facilitators and the participants shared their insights about what they shared.
It was found out in the session that there is a prevailing difference on how men and women in a community manage their own mental health which is affected by gender differences. Men may not be more reluctant to seek help for mental health issues due to social stigma or traditional gender norms that discourage emotional vulnerability while women are more expressive and open for discussing their thoughts.
In any community, it is important to recognize and address these differences in mental health management to ensure that everyone has access to the resources and support they need.
Ms. Reymily Rose Sta. Ana, Guidance and Counselor of URS Morong, served as the speaker, while volunteers from URS and DepEd Antipolo and Rizal, who are members of Heart Start, facilitated the activity.
Dr. Marilou C. Pantaleon, then director of Center for Lifelong Learning, originally proposed YAKAP. Dr. Norberto M. Natano, the current director of CLL, and Dr. Wilhelmina Masinsin, GAD director, continued the project.
