The Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) Psychology Society, spearheaded by its Students' Rights and Welfare Committee (STRAW), officially launched its World Mental Health Month celebration on Friday, October 9, highlighting the importance of understanding mental health and fostering a more supportive community, one green ribbon at a time.
The celebration carries the theme, “The Humanness in Psyche: The Innate Drive Toward Self-Actualization and Real Change, from Real Lived Experiences,” anchored in Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs. It emphasizes the role of lived experiences in personal growth and how fulfilling basic needs, building supportive relationships, and developing psychological awareness can contribute to self-actualization.
In her opening remarks, Psychology Department Chairperson Prof. Jennifer Gay E. Carpio emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental health and well-being in the pursuit of self-actualization.
“To be self-actualized, we have to be mindful of our mental health. And together, let us create a world where mental health can be nourished. Let us be active agents of mental health. Let's educate others about the value of mental health. And let's help create a world where mental health can flourish,” Carpio stated.
She also encouraged everyone to participate in the upcoming activities prepared by the Psychology Society and its partner organizations throughout the month-long celebration.
Meanwhile, STRAW Associate Secretary Mely Grace B. Magno challenged society's tendency to impose standards on what mental health struggles should look like, emphasizing how such expectations can invalidate the experiences of individuals whose struggles may not be immediately visible or understood by others.
“Does someone really need to suffer much worse than they already are for people to recognize that they are struggling?” she asked.
Magno emphasized that there is no single “blueprint” for mental struggle and called for a shift in how society responds to mental illness — beginning with empathy, listening to lived experiences, and fostering awareness both online and in everyday life.
“It begins in me, and it begins in you,” she added, highlighting the importance of personal responsibility in driving change.
Beyond the stigma surrounding mental health, the program also highlighted the challenges posed by limited funding and the shortage of mental health professionals in the Philippines. According to the World Health Organization's (WHO) 2021 Mental Health System Assessment, the country had 548 psychiatrists and 133 psychologists, underscoring concerns about the availability of specialized mental health services. These figures reflect the workforce reported in the assessment and should not be interpreted as current counts.
In light of these concerns, Magno called on the public and the government to strengthen mental health advocacy and prioritize funding for services, facilities, and professionals.
She underscored that mental health support remains underfunded, urging collective action to elevate its importance.
“The more we talk, advocate, and put importance on our mental health, the more society will recognize it as something significant that we need to take care of,” she said.
As the month-long celebration continues, the MSU-IIT Psychology Society encourages students to participate in activities and conversations that raise awareness, challenge stigma and stereotypes, and promote a deeper understanding of mental health. Through these efforts, the organization hopes to foster a community where people can share their experiences without fear of judgment and where seeking support is met with understanding.
Ultimately, meaningful change begins not only with awareness, but also with how people listen to, understand, and support one another. As Magno emphasized, it starts with us.
Written by Crizelle Kaye Padillo
Proofread by Frank Flores and Fame Orong
Photos by Shy Gomez
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