Hi, my Hive friends! How are you? I’m so happy you’re here. I just wanted to share my speakership experience at Brgy. Quezon, Lipa City. Part of my mental health advocacy is to spread awareness, whether that’s for students, organizations, or the common folk. Everyone should be educated about mental health.
For those who aren’t familiar, a barangay is like a suburb. Historically it is referred to as barrio, but now it is the native Filipino term for a village, district, or ward. Brgy. Quezon has a small population of 1,909 and this was their first mental health seminar under a public health program.
But wait, let’s backtrack for a moment! How did I get here in the first place?
A random call and preparations
One December night, my phone rang then I looked at the screen. It was my aunt, who is a city health officer and physician. She heard about my mental health advocacy and invited me to speak at different barangays in Lipa City.
This opportunity rendered me speechless, with my heart pumping in my chest, but of course, I said yes! It wasn’t until March that we got the approval from different areas to do a “Mental Health 101” seminar.
The objectives of the talk are simple because the whole theme is about the basics of mental health.
- To talk about the mental health stigma in the Philippines and why we must change the narrative
- To define mental health and share the 8 dimensions of wellness
- To discuss the warning signs of someone experiencing emotional distress and how to help
However, this isn’t like any seminar I have done before. I faced the challenge of communicating these broad and sensitive topics into something easy to understand for the common crowd. These are our ordinary vendors, housewives, and midwives. I have to stick to our native tongue and be more relatable, using metaphors that they could simply take in.
It’s the day!
Despite working only a week at my new company, I filed for a half-day leave on March 22 to spend the entire afternoon at Brgy. Quezon. Thankfully, they agreed, and they were supportive of my advocacy. So I logged out by 11 o’clock and got dressed, which was a bit difficult since it was so sunny that day.
I wanted to wear a formal blouse, but I knew I would just sweat it out, so I settled with The Wounded Healer’s signature color, purple shirt.
I met my aunt at the city hall and she escorted me to the ambulance that would serve as our vehicle for transportation. Here were my inner thoughts:
Woah! So this is what an inside of an ambulance looks like. Thank goodness these cabinets are attached securely. So if I were to be… nope! Let’s not think about that, Ish.
Not long after, we arrived at the covered court and there were about 10 to 15 participants. I didn’t mind the small audience because I knew they were the ones who really wanted to learn. Plus, out of all the things they could be doing that day, caring for the kids, staying at home, and doing work, they set aside time for this seminar. I’m so grateful for their presence.
Unfortunately, the presentation couldn’t be flashed on the projector screen due to technical difficulties. Yes, I needed to do this without the presentation for a while. So I held the mic and stood before them – feeling a bit anxious, we talked about the mental health stigma in the Philippines.
Sino na ang nakarinig na kapag nalulungkot ay nag-iinarte lang? Taas ang kamay!
Sino na ang nasabihan na kapag nalulungkot ay kulang sa dasal? Taas din ang kamay!
Who heard the phrase "being sad is just being dramatic"? Raise your hands!
Who was told that being sad is a result of a lack of prayer/faith?" Raise your hand!
A few people raised their hands, and then I asked, “How did it make you feel?” They fell silent.
As the talk continued, I found that cracking jokes and using my Batangueño accent helped ease their apprehension when we discussed our sources of stress.
Even though it wasn’t part of my original plan, these mothers looked like they needed extra care and support, so we did a breathing exercise together. I even asked them to say affirmations to themselves and the person next to them.
“Okay lang na malungkot, nandito ako para sayo,” they said as they tapped each other’s shoulders.
In short, they learned that mental health is about thinking, feeling, and acting from a place of love. We cultivate love by disempowering fear and shame. We show love in different ways, and it becomes toxic when we force one way over another. Loving is living in balance.
Mental health is also a part of physical health, and we must seek help if we feel too overwhelmed by our situation.
One participant asked to use the mic to say something meaningful and powerful:
“I have two children with disabilities, one with depression, but I am not ashamed of them. I accept and support them,” she said.
She was a good role model to other participants that stigma could transform into acceptance and increased awareness.
At the end of the talk, we were all basking in the ambiance of community and connectedness when my aunt announced some good news. There will be FREE psychiatric consultations at the city hall, and they could set an appointment with the resident psychiatrist there. Meanwhile, they could contact my Facebook page if they have any questions.
Personally, I felt something shift in me as I laughed, validated, and talked to these mothers – it’s my mission coming true right in front of my eyes, as if I have been waiting for a long time to feel this fulfilled. This was where I should be, in action, with the people, comforting them.
I could write more because I have stories inside the ambulance! 🤣💜 But for now, thank you for reading!
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ᴬˡˡ ᵖʰᵒᵗᵒˢ ᵃʳᵉ ᵐⁱⁿᵉ ᵘⁿˡᵉˢˢ ˢᵗᵃᵗᵉᵈ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳʷⁱˢᵉ. ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵖʰᵒᵗᵒˢ ᵃʳᵉ ᵉᵈⁱᵗᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᶜᵃᵛᵃ.ᶜᵒᵐ.