MSEUF marks World Mental Health Month with seminars, art workshops

The Office of Student Affairs and Services of Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation led a three-day celebration of World Mental Health Month from Oct. 28 to 30, to promote mental health awareness, emotional resilience and student well-being through seminars and creative workshops.

The celebration opened on Day 1 with the seminar “Tanglaw – Kaisipan para sa EU: Lakbay sa Makabagong Panahon,” which featured Karen Anne Quing, a registered psychologist and registered psychometrician, as resource speaker. She discussed essential mental health concepts, including recognizing early signs of stress, identifying personal triggers and applying grounding techniques.

Quing emphasized self-awareness, healthy coping strategies and the importance of a reliable support system. She encouraged students to listen without judgment and guide peers toward professional help when necessary.

When a student asked how to help others while personally struggling, Quing underscored the importance of self-care. “You cannot pour from an empty cup. You must take care of your own well-being first before you can genuinely support others,” she said, stressing the need to set healthy boundaries and seek professional referral when needed.

On Days 2 and 3, Aira Riza Abad, a registered guidance counselor, facilitated the morning workshop “Celebrating Mental Health Through Learning and Artistry.” The sessions provided a therapeutic space where students engaged in art-based activities that encouraged self-expression and emotional processing.

Participants designed personalized name tags, illustrated their inner and outer selves and created visual representations of their “safe place,” a symbolic space of comfort during stressful situations.

Through the three-day initiative, OSAS reinforced its commitment to building a supportive campus culture that prioritizes mental health and shared responsibility for well-being.

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The celebration reflected the University’s core values of Mindfulness, Unity and Service by creating safe spaces where students learned to care for themselves and others. The initiative also supported student-centered and transformative learning by integrating reflection, dialogue and creative expression into mental health education.

Related UN Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being: The activities promoted mental health awareness, resilience and access to professional guidance.

• SDG 4 – Quality Education: The seminars and workshops provided holistic learning that supported students’ personal and emotional development.

• SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The program fostered a supportive and inclusive campus environment grounded in empathy and responsible care.