𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗣𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵: 𝗠𝗦𝗨-𝗜𝗜𝗧 𝗣𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗦𝗼𝗰 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀

 

The Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) Psychology Society (PsychSoc) hosted Psych-to-Psych Kumustahan: An Inter-University Summit for Psychology Students on Saturday, October 17, at the University Library Theater. The event brought together psychology students from different institutions for an afternoon of learning, collaboration, and community-building.

The summit featured guest speaker Katrina Codilla-Eragan, a registered psychologist and founder of Katalyst Psychological and Applied Services, who shared insights on self-discovery, resilience, and the realities of pursuing psychology as both an academic discipline and a profession.

In her opening remarks, Psychology Society Adviser Asst. Prof. Edmarie Zoe Gonzaga expressed hope that the gathering would become a continuing tradition among psychology student organizations.

"I consider this to be the first of many," Gonzaga said, encouraging participants to sustain relationships between universities and leave behind a legacy of collaboration for future psychology students.

Drawing from her own experience, Codilla-Eragan recounted her shift from accountancy to psychology, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's motivations and aspirations.

"Being able to do something still leaves another question: Do I want the life I am building around it?" she said.

Throughout the lecture, she addressed common misconceptions surrounding psychology students and professionals, noting that understanding others should not come at the expense of self-care.

"You can understand someone and still feel hurt by what they did. You can care about someone and still need time for yourself," Codilla-Eragan explained.

Following the talk, participants took part in an organization exchange forum where representatives from participating schools presented their organizations' initiatives, programs, and best practices.

Representing the MSU-IIT Psychology Society, Angelie Agcopra highlighted the organization's projects on mental health advocacy, leadership development, community extension, and student welfare, emphasizing the value of creating spaces for collaboration and the exchange of ideas among psychology students.

The summit concluded with open discussions, networking activities, and collaborative games, providing participants opportunities to build connections beyond their respective campuses.

Through the Psych-to-Psych Kumustahan, psychology students were encouraged not only to deepen their understanding of the discipline but also to strengthen the relationships and support systems that contribute to their growth as future mental health professionals.

Written by Bea Faye Eumague

Proofread by Harris Donmoen Iligan

Photo by Vaughn Lebenswelt Banate