𝐓𝐀𝐔 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝-𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥-𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭-𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬

𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐒 | 𝐓𝐀𝐔 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝-𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥-𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭-𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬

In a proactive move to foster an open, supportive campus setting where conversations about mental health are normalized and embraced, the Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) through the Office of Student Services and Development (OSSD) - Guidance and Counseling Unit, conducted a series of activities in line with the worldwide observance of mental health awareness month, held within the University campus, 17 October.

With the theme “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies,” the initiating office aims to support the main goal of raising global awareness of mental health issues and mobilizing efforts to support mental health. The event originated and was first celebrated in 1992 every 10th of October at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH).

Today, State University Colleges (SUCs) and other organizations exercise a month-long celebration to encourage more creativity, collaboration, and open conversations about mental health.

Meanwhile, the OSSD actively upholds its advocacy for a healthy balance between academics and mental well-being. According to Dr. Danilo N. Oficiar, OSSD Director, the University aims to provide an inclusive environment where students can express themselves and learn the importance of mental wellness.

“Mental and physical health are equally important. We sustain a healthy mind through physical wellness, cultivating supportive relationships, seeking positive mental input, developing personal strengths, and maintaining spiritual grounding,” Dr. Oficiar stated.

During the celebration, the students from the six colleges of the University actively participated in the Color Fun Run, followed by the Booth-Making Contest and Digital Printed Banner Design Contest, held simultaneously in front of the Student and Alumni Center.

Each activity was designed to help students maintain balance amid academic and personal challenges through art and expression.

“The event served as a break after the stressful midterms. It also encourages participation and helps in raising awareness and promoting understanding about mental health and well-being in an engaging manner,” Ms. Yranzel Faye M. Niño, a representative of the Junior Marketing Society student organization.

With full support, the University President Dr. Silverio Ramon DC. Salunson expressed his meaningful message. 

“This openness allows our community to see that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Together, we are nurturing a culture of compassion, understanding, and resilience within TAU,” Dr. Salunson shared.

The event also symbolized TAU’s unity with the international movement advocating for greater understanding and acceptance of mental health issues. As the world continues to navigate post-pandemic realities, TAU reinforces its call to prioritize mental well-being as an integral part of holistic education.

Through these successful activities, the OSSD Guidance and Counseling Unit affirmed to continue its full support for the advancement of the University’s student welfare programs.

#SmartTAU #GreenandGlobal #MHAwareness #SDG3 #SDG4 #SDG10 #SDG17

Article and Photos  | Information Unit