“IT'S not just work, but the way of life.”
This is how Precious Santiago-Manliguez, a mental health advocate, sees and describes her journey. Being in this profession, makes her eyes sparkle - to help, to serve, and to inspire people through promoting healthy well-being.
Manliguez, now a mental health consultant for COVID-19 Online Psychosocial Support of the City Government of Davao and for Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA)
Davao Chapter, had found herself working for what she really loves, advocating for mental health.
However, the road has not been smooth for her. After graduation, she started her career as a recruitment officer in a mall along R. Magsaysay Avenue, but things do not go her way.
“I was convinced back then that HR-(human resource) related work will best suit my personality and perhaps my ‘life goals’ – I was challenged when I got the chance to land my first job as Recruitment Officer, however, it was not for me I guess,” Manliguez said.
As she departed her first job, she decided to go back to school and pursue her masters in Clinical Psychology at Ateneo de Davao University. Having her internship in what would be her future home in PMHA, she realized that she was “fallen in love” with self-care and promoting well-being.
“I was engaged in a student-based setting – engaged in student development and parenting, until I was finishing my Masters in Clinical Psychology and had my internship at PMHA,” Manliguez said.
“That’s when I learned and fell in love with mental health advocacy and its promotion of well-being,” she added.
After attaining her master’s degree, Manliguez shares her advocacy for schools and young people. She continued her career as a guidance counselor at Rizal Special Education Learning Center for around four years before being an instructor and a student adviser at AdDu and Brokenshire College, respectively.
Then, she expanded her advocacy reach to the community level by being a part of PMHA, where she worked as the chapter executive manager for them until 2022. During the pandemic, the City Government of Davao also tapped her as a mental health specialist of Covid-19 Online Psychosocial Support until today.
“[My work is] very fulfilling, and you can sense how relieved the family members who were assisted in their concerns on mental health,” Manliguez said when asked about her experiences in assisting people who need psychological help.
Manliguez said that for pushing her advocacy, the social stigma was still there. However, at present, she observes more and more people are now being aware of how important it is to take care of oneself.
“Our community is in a stage wherein we need to strengthen people's capacity – awareness – wellbeing – resilience – help-seeking behavior to be a more efficient member of the progressing city,” Manliguez said.
The important thing is, she will always be there to serve her purpose.
“God only knows when and what His plans are for me, but until then wherever I may be, I will be an advocate of mental health,” Manliguez said. ICE