United for Wellness: Colleges Join Hands in Mixed-Team Events on World Mental Health Day

By Andrea Sedero, Maan Deuda, Jessa Lebumfacil, and Bea Eumague

In celebration of World Mental Health Day 2024, MSU-IIT’s Office of the Guidance and Counseling (OGC) in collaboration with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Services, the Kataas-taasang Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral (KASAMA), and the College Executive Councils hosted a series of sports events that mixed students from the seven colleges into ‘teams of emotions’ to promote unity, friendship, and mental well-being through physical activity.

With events lasting from morning until afternoon, these activities aimed to provide a space for students to de-stress and have fun. Rather than focusing on representing their respective colleges in competitive pursuits, mixing teams encouraged interactions among students from the different colleges, creating an engaging atmosphere fitting for a day that prioritizes mental well-being.

Starting the Day Right

The morning kicked off with an energizing warm-up as faculty and students from the Department of Physical Education took the lead, guiding everyone through dance-based exercises. This lively session set an upbeat tone, getting everyone in the groove before the official games began.

Hosea Praise Belan, a BA Psychology student, shared how the dance exercises during the opening program were a refreshing and fun way to kick off World Mental Health Day. She appreciated how it helped participants unwind and set a positive tone for the day, noting that such enjoyable activities are important for maintaining mental well-being. 

“Celebrating World Mental Health Day reminds us that by working together, we can successfully promote mental well-being for everyone. It’s crucial to prioritize our mental health, and taking a break doesn’t harm us—instead, it helps us recharge and become better equipped to continue doing the things we’re passionate about,” she expressed.

Visitors from PHINMA-COC Iligan Campus who were invited by the Psychology Society also enthusiastically joined the dance floor, shaking off their worries alongside MSU-IIT students.

Felme Grace Lorgo, a BS Psychology student from PHINMA-COC, conveyed her excitement about participating in the MSU-IIT celebration, noting how she enjoyed interacting with the booths and events. When asked for advice on how to take care of one’s mental health as a college student, she stressed the importance of having a friend to confide in, as bottling up emotions can lead to more significant problems.

“Lisud man jud ang college, like you need someone nga maka-lean on gyud ka. So get yourself a friend nga like masaligan nimo sa tanan, nga [kanang] ma-sturya nimo tanan, para bitaw dili ka ma bottled-up sa imong mga struggles, sa imong mga na-again,” she noted. 

In an opening message, Vice Chancellor for Student Services, Dr. Rohane Derogongan also emphasized MSU-IIT’s commitment to creating a supportive environment for students and faculty. She remarked, “MSU-IIT is indeed working its best to give you the best workplace,” underscoring the day’s focus on supporting the entire community on World Mental Health Day.

Laro ng Lahi

On the morning of October 10, the lively “Laro ng Lahi” jumpstarted the series of team sports events, featuring traditional Filipino games like Tug of War, Eggplant Relay, Sack Race, and Dodgeball. Students were divided into six teams—Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, Disgust, and Anxiety—sparking excitement as participants from different colleges teamed up for a fun-filled, friendly competition.

The tug of war set the stage for the games, igniting enthusiasm among both the players and the audience. Zyra Makiling, a BS Psychology student and participant, expressed her appreciation for the more active celebration of World Mental Health Day this year. She shared that they collaborated as best they could, especially since their team had just met at that moment, to discuss and tackle the challenge together effectively.

Following was the Eggplant Relay that kept the crowd on edge as four teams raced for the win in a thrilling extended match, with Team 4 ultimately clinching the win,  a true display of their unmatched speed and endurance. “It really helped me boost my confidence and my way of engaging with everyone,” said Ella Myca Daarol from BA Sociology. She emphasized how the game required both mental strategy and physical endurance from each of them and expressed appreciation for her teammates, who warmly welcomed her into the group.

The Sack Race proved to be an intense, fast-paced competition as participants swiftly hopped to the finish line. Out of the six teams, Team 4 claimed victory, showcasing impressive speed and teamwork. Franch Jay Mutya, also a BA Sociology student, conveyed that while playing in front of a crowd was nerve-wracking, the experience turned out to be enjoyable. He noted that it boosted his confidence and gave him the chance to meet and interact with new people.

The final game, dodgeball, was a lively event with paper balls flying everywhere, keeping both players and the audience on their toes. The competition featured three rounds among six teams, with Team Joy winning the first round, Team Anger taking the second, and Team Anxiety clinching the third. 

Freed Carl Turtosa, a BA History student and a CASS Executive Council Board Member, emphasized the event’s role in helping students unwind from academic stress, highlighting the significance of physical activities for overall wellness and the chance to enjoy a break before exams.“It is time for us to relax and the activity was a refreshment for us students who are really stressed in our academic life,” he affirmed in an interview. 

Badminton

On the other hand, the doubles badminton tournament also unfolded the same morning, participated by two students from each college—one for the Men’s and one for the Women’s tournaments, who were then randomly paired with fellow players from the different colleges.

Juvelyn Gandino, a BA Sociology student who participated in the women’s doubles badminton tournament, appreciated how the event aligned with the focus on mental health. She noted that engaging in activities like badminton helps shift attention away from stress and that she genuinely enjoyed the game experience.

Meanwhile, Hugo Arimao, a BA English Language Studies student who represented CASS in the men’s doubles, voiced out how the event served as a much-needed break for students facing academic pressures. He shared that with upcoming exams, the tournament offered a valuable chance for students like him to unwind and distract themselves from stress. 

Volleyball

In the afternoon, the battle of ‘emotions’ continued as students spiked their stress away during the Volleyball tournament at the IDS Multi-Purpose Hall. Playing teams filled the court with energy and enthusiasm as mixed teams were organized in a manner similar to Laro ng Lahi.

One of the players, Princess Loren Gonzaga, a BA Political Science student, reflected on the event, noting that while she is not used to playing with players whom she does not know well, participating in the game provided a much-needed break from her demanding routine. 

She explained, “My daily school and dorm life has been exhausting, filled with endless paperwork and studying. Taking a break from my phone and laptop to play my favorite sport helped relieve stress, allowing me to focus on the present and improve my mood.”

Gonzaga noted the supportive atmosphere of the celebration as a whole. Regarding the games, she realized that mental health is not just about serious discussions; it’s also about enjoying life and spending time with others. “It reminded me that mental health isn’t just about serious conversations but also about finding time to enjoy life and spend time with others. It was a great experience,” she added.

Aye, one of the CASS students who watched the volleyball tournament, shared her thoughts on the event. “I am happy that I can see people who are participating and letting themselves have time to freshen up and do activities that would allow them to not worry about anything that is stressing them out. Wa man gud ta kabalo sa kaagi sa usa’t usa sa atoa.”

While she enjoyed supporting her friends, Aye also felt nostalgic about her own experience in the sport, noting that watching the matches reminded her of her love for the sport.

“Just boosting my friends’ confidence and cheering them, makes me feel relieved and makes my worries disappear for a while,” she added.

Basketball

The basketball tournament was a standout event that same afternoon, bringing together players from the seven colleges in a spirited match featuring mixed teams at the Institute gymnasium.
Jona Parpan, a BA Sociology student and member of the CASS Women’s Basketball team, shared her thoughts on the day’s activities, calling them a meaningful initiative that truly reflects a commitment to prioritizing mental health and well-being. 

“My experience as a player was tiring, but I enjoyed playing with the other colleges. Even if we didn’t know each other, we collaborated as a team to win the game,” she added.

Mark Lexter Ocaña, a BA History student who participated in the Men’s category, expressed his appreciation for the event, saying it is a great way to relieve the stress that comes with schoolwork. He shared that engaging in physical activities not only provides a workout for our bodies but also helps clear our minds, which he found incredibly refreshing and beneficial.

He also noted the challenges of playing alongside athletes from other colleges: “It’s difficult because players from other colleges have different mindsets, but if you know how to read your teammates, you can bond with them over time.”

More than Sports Events

Beyond these sports and physical activities, the OGC, in partnership with KASAMA, also focused on nurturing creativity that day by offering Literary and Art Workshops, including sessions on crocheting, creative writing, and marker painting.