Female youth tackle mental health, values

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Some Grade 7 to Grade 10 female students from selected schools in the City of San Fernando recently tackled mental health and values through youth forums held at the schools' covered courts.

These were organized by the City Government and Women's Week Executive Committee, which continued the two forums at Sindalan High School and San Isidro Integrated School that should have been finished last week, but were postponed due to Typhoon Ompong.

Religious and Education Doctor and Speaker Elena "Jill" Almandrez discussed to students of the San Isidro Integrated School yesterday about the dangerous influence of depression and drug substance, human values and dignity, and the values of the home, school, and church, while Department of Education (DepEd) Division Guidance Coordinator Maria Airene Pineda Dayrit and City Health Officer Aylmer Anthony Alimurong also talked about mental health at the Nuestra Señora Del Pilar Integrated School, San Nicolas Integrated School, Northville Integrated School, Pampanga High School, and Sindalan High School.

Soroptimist International Pampanga President Dancel Sorio explained that the event mainly focuses more on the youth, who are “struggling” and not ready with mental health issues.

"We have a very caring city government and other organizations like Soroptimist International Pampanga, which all can give their 100 percent cooperation and support to these children who are having troubles with mental health. We have to teach these youth on how to handle things and stress in life, since they are still inexperienced and experimental kids. We also want to strengthen their emotional level," Sorio said.

Committee on Women's Week Chairperson Dr. Leticia Yap mentioned that the forums intend to give out tools which young people can use in managing their own problems.

"Since we have a liberal society now, the children are not being equipped with necessary strength to take on their own problems, that's why we're here to give out lectures that would mold the minds of the children through the means of their mental, physical, and emotional state," Yap said.