MENTAL health issues are being put into limelight at the Summer Capital in celebration of the 60th Foundation Anniversary, the Philippine Mental Health Association Cordillera Chapter Inc. (Formerly PMHA Baguio – Benguet Chapter Inc.)

Gina Camsol of the PMHA said this year’s theme is “You and I: MINDing Each Other” with activities up until October aiming to put mental health in focus.

Camsol said PMHA served clients suffering from mental health issues reached 773 last year, who underwent counseling and psychiatric consultation with 492 individuals referred to for psychological evaluation and 139 underwent debriefing.

“You and I MINDing Each Other means that with our mental health advocacy, we recognize that every life matters and this includes the environment that we live in, hence, we work on empowering individuals to take care of themselves so that they can care for and look after other individuals and collaborate in creating a safe space and a resilient community,” Camsol said.

Activities started in January with a logo making contest and will be highlighted anew with the 35th Mental Health Symposium at Hotel Veniz on April 26.

On May 18, an exhibit at the G1 Lodge is set dubbed as “ArThrive Exhibit: Rise above Mental Health Challenges,” a fund raising Activity for a proposed Family Support Group Program of the PMHA.

Winners of the logo design contest will be announced during the symposium.

Morning activities include talks by Elita Herrero, Director for Life Skills Plus Program, Child and Family Services Philippines Inc. on “Children in conflict with the law, risk factors and interventions” followed by a Benguet General Hospital’s Medical Officer, Mary Jane Carrido’s talk in “Sexual Abuse, Psychological impacts and interventions.”

For the afternoon sessions, a talk by Saint Louis University professor, Sally Maximo, PhD, Rpsy, LPT, on “Gadgets, Effect on the Individual’s Wellbeing,” followed by Professor Ronaldo Mamaat, PhD, Rpsy, LPT, talk on “Intellectual Disability in Children and Adults, Needs and Roles of Caregivers.”

On June 22, an eco-walk is set at the Mt. Sto. Tomas in Tuba, Benguet followed by another Mental Health Symposium on September 13.

On October 18, the culminating activity of the 60th Anniversary will be held.