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IYMHA - Iligan Youth Mental Health Advocates, Iligan City (2026)

26/10/2026

Happy Birthday, 𝗢𝘇!🎉

Wishing you a day filled with joy, good health, and everything that makes you smile.

As 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲 of the Iligan Youth Mental Health Association, your commitment to mental health and to the youth of Iligan is truly appreciated.

The way you show up for this advocacy makes a real difference, and we’re grateful to have you on the team.

𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵, 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴.

Once again, happy birthday, Oz! 🎂

-IYMHA Family

22/10/2026

𝗜𝗬𝗠𝗛𝗔 𝗜𝗡 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 | 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗜 💚

Mental health advocacy goes beyond conversations—it is about creating spaces where people can 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻, 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱.

In pursuit of its mission to improve the mental health and well-being of Iliganon youth through education, service, and advocacy, the Iligan Youth Mental Health Advocates (IYMHA) 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀, 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀.

From conversations on 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝟭𝟬𝟭, 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲, 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆, 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, our advocates were honored to share meaningful insights and practical strategies with different communities.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Sarimanok Virtual Law Clinic, MSU-IIT Psychology Society, Youth for Humanity Project, and MSU-IIT DOST-SEI Scholars’ Association for opening their platforms to meaningful conversations on mental health and well-being.

Every invitation is more than a speaking engagement—it is an opportunity to challenge stigma, encourage help-seeking, strengthen communities, and remind people that caring for our mental health deserves a place in our everyday lives. 💚

As we continue moving forward, IYMHA remains committed to bringing mental health conversations closer to the communities we serve.

𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦. 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦.

Stay tuned for Part II of IYMHA in Action. 🌿

Layout and Design by: Renefel Llup
Written by: Renefel Llup
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20/10/2026

Congratulations to 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗹 𝗟𝗹𝘂𝗽 for passing the 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 held on October 12, 2026, with results released on October 19, 2026! 🤗💗

Your hard work and steady dedication have brought you to this well-deserved moment. As Chairperson of our very own Public Information & Communication Committee and a strong support to our team, you show us what it means to lead with purpose. Your new license is proof of the effort you put in behind the scenes. 🙌

As the only member of our team from the engineering profession, you serve as living evidence that engineering students should also prioritize mental health—and that engineers should also be at the forefront of fighting against the stigma surrounding it. 🧠

IYMHA is so proud of you! Watching you handle your responsibilities while preparing for this exam has been truly inspiring, and we can't wait to see where this new chapter takes you. 💚

Here's to new opportunities and to using your skills to make a real difference in the community! 😚

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18/10/2026

[Sensitive Content: Discussion on violence]

𝗖𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱: 𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮

Today's generation is probably more connected than any generation before it. For young people, checking social media, scrolling through a feed, or reacting to someone's story has become part of everyday life. It is no longer something we do only when we have free time. For many, it is something we check throughout the day without even thinking about it (Bamijoko-Okungbaye, 2022). Because of this constant connection, young people are also exposed to other people's emotions almost every day. We see people celebrating, grieving, getting angry, panicking, and sharing their frustrations, sometimes all within just a few minutes of scrolling (Wilkie et al., 2026). Researchers are beginning to look more closely at how this constant exposure may affect our mental health (Bamijoko-Okungbaye, 2022).

One important concept connected to this is emotional contagion. Simply put, 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗲 "𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵" 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 (Hatfield et al., 1993). Hatfield, Cacioppo, and Rapson (1993) explained that people can automatically copy another person's expressions, tone, and body language, which can eventually influence how they feel themselves. We see something similar on social media, even though we are not physically with the person. A post, comment, or article can make us feel the same emotion that the person expressing it seems to feel (Chu et al., 2024).

Social media changes this process in two key ways. First, since there's no face-to-face contact, 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝘂𝗽 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 (Wilkie et al., 2026). Second, 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲-𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲, 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗲 (Wilkie et al., 2026). Notably, negative emotions spread faster and last longer online than positive ones (Chu et al., 2024; Wilkie et al., 2026).

This becomes especially concerning when social media content involves violence. Videos or posts showing an assault, shooting, or other traumatic event can trigger strong feelings of fear, anger, sadness, and hopelessness. People who see these events online may experience an emotional reaction even though they were nowhere near the actual situation (Bamijoko-Okungbaye, 2022). Because violent content can spread so quickly, the emotional impact of one event can reach far beyond the people who witnessed it in person. This can include children and teenagers who encounter the footage simply because it appeared on their feed (Bamijoko-Okungbaye, 2022; Wilkie et al., 2026).

Heavy social media use among young people carries real mental health consequences:

● More exposure can mean a greater chance of being affected. The more often someone engages with a platform, the more likely they are to "catch" the emotions circulating on it, hence placing many adolescents at greater risk (Bamijoko-Okungbaye, 2022).
● Strong emotions can influence behavior. Fear online can trigger panic-driven actions, while anger can fuel boycotts and hostile exchanges (Wilkie et al., 2026).
● Tragedies involving preventable harm and children can hit especially hard. Posts about preventable harm or child deaths draw far more emotional reaction than neutral content, pulling online communities into cycles of collective distress (Chu et al., 2024).

A recent example closer to home shows just how quickly this can happen.

On August 18, 2026, a shooting at the junior high school building of Ateneo de Zamboanga University was reportedly livestreamed on the suspect's Facebook account before the livestream was taken down (Agence France-Presse, 2026; Al Jazeera, 2026). Clips of the incident were then shared across different platforms. For people who were not even at the scene, repeatedly seeing the footage could still bring feelings of fear, grief, and anger. Students, in particular, could continue encountering the videos through shares, reposts, and recommendations even after the actual event had ended.

This is where emotional contagion becomes more than just a theory. When young people repeatedly see disturbing content, especially content involving violence or other young people, the emotional effects can build up. Over time, this may leave them feeling more anxious, emotionally exhausted, or easily triggered by similar content (Bamijoko-Okungbaye, 2022; Chu et al., 2024).

Now what?

Small, deliberate habits can go a long way:

● Notice patterns, not just posts. Pay attention to accounts or topics that consistently leave you anxious or upset since the effect builds over time (Wilkie et al., 2026).
● Take breaks during high-tension moments. Stepping away during breaking news or tragedies helps break the cycle (Chu et al., 2024).
● Balance your feed. Follow sources that share calm or hopeful content to offset the pull toward negativity (Chu et al., 2024).
● Pause before reacting or resharing. A short pause slows the "catch and pass on" cycle (Wilkie et al., 2026).
● Reflect on your own reactions. Not every response is automatic. Understanding why something affects you builds a sense of control (Bamijoko-Okungbaye, 2022).

Social Media is indeed a powerful tool. The good news? Youth aren't powerless here. If negative emotions can spread fast online, so can kindness and awareness. Pausing before you share, checking on a friend who seems off, or posting something encouraging — small choices like these add up. The same networks that carry fear and anger can just as easily carry support and hope. Today's youth aren't just passive scrollers; they can help shape a healthier online world.

So, be mindful of what you consume, be thoughtful about what you share, and be part of creating a healthier online space. ♥

Layout and Design by: Haya Mamao
Written by: Ren Diamante
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References:
Agence France-Presse. (2026, August 18). Philippine student killed in livestreamed school Shooting. France 24. https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260818-philippine-student-killed-in-livestreamed-scho
ol-shooting

Al Jazeera. (2026, August 18). Student killed in Philippine school shooting. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/18/two-killed-as-gunman-opens-fire-at-philippines-high-
school-official-says

Bamijoko-Okungbaye, A. (2022). Emotional contagion on social media platforms: New directions in cognitive science and practice. Journal for Social Media Inquiry, 4(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.18662/jsmi/4.1/22

Chu, M., Song, W., Zhao, Z., Chen, T., & Chiang, Y. (2024). Emotional contagion on social media and the simulation of intervention strategies after a disaster event: A modeling study. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11, Article 968.
https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03397-4

Hatfield, E., Cacioppo, J. T., & Rapson, R. L. (1993). Emotional contagion. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 2(3), 96–100. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8721.ep10770953

Wilkie, D. C. H., Lipnickas, G., & Pham, N. T. A. (2026). Emotional contagion on social media: Pathways, effects, and insights for marketers. Journal of Marketing Management, 42(1–2), 57–90. https://doi.org/10.1080/0267257X.2025.2570739

17/10/2026

𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗲: 𝗔 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲

𝘈𝘯 𝘖𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘙𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘈𝘋𝘏𝘋 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘋𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘈𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘩

There are people who walk into classrooms every day carrying struggles that no one knows about. They smile when someone greets them, laugh at jokes, participate in conversations, and continue fulfilling their responsibilities as though everything is perfectly fine. Yet behind those ordinary moments, some are fighting battles they do not know how to put into words.

And perhaps what makes these struggles even more painful is not simply what they are experiencing, but the feeling that nobody truly understands.

As a student and someone who deeply believes in mental health advocacy, I have come to realize that we often know so little about the people we encounter every day. We see their achievements, their mistakes, their attendance, their performance, and sometimes even their failures. But we rarely see the emotional weight they carry just to make it through another day.

We live in a society that places so much importance on productivity, excellence, and success. As students, we are constantly reminded to do better, aim higher, and work harder. There is nothing wrong with striving for excellence. But somewhere along the way, we have become so accustomed to asking people what they have accomplished that we sometimes forget to ask how they are doing.

We admire those who can balance academics, leadership, friendships, and personal responsibilities. Yet we seldom recognize those who are quietly doing their best simply to remain present, to finish one assignment, to attend one class, or to find enough motivation to face another morning.

For someone living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, even tasks that appear simple to others may require tremendous effort. Difficulty sustaining attention, organizing responsibilities, managing time, or regulating impulses can affect everyday life in ways that are often misunderstood. What others may quickly label as carelessness or laziness can be part of a much more complicated experience.

For someone experiencing depression, the struggle may look different. It may involve persistent sadness, emotional emptiness, loss of interest, exhaustion, or difficulty finding meaning in activities that once brought joy. Depression does not always have a visible face. It does not always announce itself through tears or isolation. Sometimes, it exists behind the smile of someone who continues to show up because they feel they have no other choice.

These conditions are different, and every person's experience is unique. But both remind us of something important: 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲'𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺.

It saddens me to think about how many people have learned to remain silent because the world has made them feel that their struggles are something to be ashamed of.

How many students have been called lazy when they were genuinely struggling to focus? How many people have been told to cheer up when they could barely explain the sadness they were experiencing? How many have convinced themselves that asking for help would only make them a burden to others?

Sometimes, words spoken without much thought can leave wounds that remain long after the conversation has ended.

This is why I believe mental health awareness must be more than a celebration of dates or the sharing of meaningful quotations. Awareness should challenge the way we think, the way we speak, and most importantly, the way we treat one another.

It asks us to recognize that not everyone experiences life in the same way. It asks us to be patient with those whose progress may seem slower than ours. It asks us to understand that a person's worth is never determined by how much they accomplish, how quickly they recover, or how successfully they conceal their struggles.

And perhaps, more than anything else, it asks us to become kinder human beings.

As students, we may not always have the knowledge or ability to help someone through everything they are experiencing. We cannot diagnose another person's condition, and we should never pretend that compassion alone can replace professional care. But we can create spaces where people feel safe enough to speak, where their feelings are acknowledged, and where seeking help is not treated as a sign of weakness.

We can choose to listen before judging. We can offer understanding instead of making assumptions. We can remind people that needing support does not make them less capable, less deserving, or less valuable.

𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻'𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻. 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀, 𝗶𝘁 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀.

I also want to acknowledge those who continue to struggle quietly.

To the student who has been trying so hard but still feels left behind, I hope you learn to recognize the effort you have made, even when the results are not what you hoped for.

To the person who feels exhausted by expectations, responsibilities, and the pressure to appear okay, I hope you find people with whom you can be honest about what you are experiencing.

To those living with ADHD or depression, I hope you are given the understanding, appropriate support, and opportunities you deserve. Your condition is not the entirety of who you are, and it should never be used to diminish your dignity or your potential.

And to anyone who is finding life particularly difficult right now, I hope you remember that you do not have to face everything alone. Reaching out to someone you trust or seeking professional support is a meaningful step, even when finding the words feels difficult.

I write these words not because I have all the answers, nor because I completely understand every struggle that others experience. I write them because I believe that every person deserves a world that is willing to understand before it judges.

A world where students are seen as human beings before they are measured by their grades.

A world where people are not forced to hide their pain just to be considered strong.

A world where mental health is not only discussed when tragedy strikes, but genuinely valued in our everyday conversations, institutions, and relationships.

As we observe ADHD and Depression Awareness Month this October, may we remember that advocacy does not end when the month is over. It continues in the patience we extend to others, in the language we choose, in the support we provide, and in the courage to challenge the stigma that prevents people from seeking help.

The most meaningful measure of our awareness is not how much we know about mental health, but how that knowledge changes the way we treat people.

𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗼 𝗼𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗲.

And if there is one thought I hope this reflection leaves behind, it is this:

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗲. 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗲 𝗯𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁, 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲.

Because sometimes, making someone feel seen, heard, and understood is where meaningful change begins.

𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘖𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘳, 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥.

Layout and Design by: Haya Mamao
Written by: Aeithazsa Prym J. Talaid
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10/10/2026

𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟬 𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗮𝘆! 🧠💚

This year’s theme, “𝙇𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙙: 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙑𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙨, 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚,” puts people with lived experience at the center of mental health policies and decisions.

This is the work we do at Bahay Pag-asa, where IYMHA has been walking alongside children in conflict with the law. We have seen that behind every case is a young person with a story, and when we listen to that story, healing and rehabilitation can begin. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝘂𝘀, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀.

We call on policymakers to listen to grassroots stories and let them guide local laws that truly serve our communities, including our most overlooked youth.

IYMHA remains committed to safeguarding the young minds of Iliganons. Today, tomorrow, and in the years ahead, we will keep advocating for safe and supportive mental health spaces.

Layout and Design by: Shanead Buhion & Renefel Llup
Written by: John Carl Vincent Dadulo
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02/10/2026

𝙃𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙗𝙞𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙙𝙖𝙮 to one of our day-ones and absolute lifesavers, our Public Information and Communications Committee Member and Support Representative, 𝗝𝘂𝘃𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗴!

Seriously, ever since the very beginning, Juviang has been that person we can always run to whenever we're stuck on what to write for a post. She just knows how to find the right words every single time.

On top of being super reliable, her drive is honestly so inspiring—she’s actively continuing her studies just to bring even more value and support to our advocacy. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘦.

To Juviang, thank you for always having our back, for lending your voice to our cause, and for constantly growing alongside the team. IYMHA wouldn't be the same without you!

𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘮𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘷𝘪𝘣𝘦𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦!

— IYMHA Team

02/10/2026

𝙃𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙗𝙞𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙙𝙖𝙮 to our sweet, sweet girl, Chairperson of the Research Committee and Support Representative, 𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙝! 🎂🥰

𝘛𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺.

Your mind is a lantern, and you've chosen to hold it up for those still finding their way through the dark. Your kindness, your energy, and the care you bring to this cause make a real difference.

𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘐𝘠𝘔𝘏𝘈 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘻𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘯. The time, effort, and heart you've given have helped shape who we are today. Thank you for staying, for growing with us, and for never losing your passion along the way.💞

And since this has been such a good year for you, we're also proud of your recent licensure as a psychometrician. You deserve every bit of it.

Here's to the chapter ahead. There are more lives to touch, more doors waiting to open, and more stories that will be better because you're in them. We can't wait to see where your light leads next, and we'll be right beside you every step of the way.

𝘞𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢 𝘣𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘥, 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 🎉

— IYMHA Team

24/09/2026

𝙒𝙖𝙧𝙢 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 to our passionate, hardworking IYMHAdvocates for officially passing the September 2026 Psychometricians Licensure Exam! 🧠✨

𝗝𝗘𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗟𝗟 𝗩𝗔𝗦𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗭, 𝗥𝗣𝗺
Planning, Design, and Implementation Committee Chairperson and Support Representative

𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗜𝗘 𝗔𝗬𝗡𝗔𝗛 𝗖𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗟, 𝗥𝗣𝗺, 𝗖𝗛𝗥𝗔
Research Committee Chairperson and Support Representative

𝗝𝗔𝗔𝗡𝗔 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗔 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗡, 𝗥𝗣𝗺, 𝗖𝗛𝗥𝗔
Planning, Design, and Implementation Committee Member and Support Representative

Your hard work, late nights, and pure resilience truly paid off. Wear those new titles with pride! This isn't just a license; it Is a launchpad for all the incredible work you’re going to do as champions for mental health.

The whole IYMHA family is beyond proud to stand behind you today. We can’t wait to see the real world impact you’ll continue to make! 💙

17/09/2026

𝙃𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙗𝙞𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙙𝙖𝙮 to one of our hardworking graphic artists, the mind behind some truly recognized, jaw-dropping pubmats — 𝙎𝙤𝙛𝙞𝙖 𝙇𝙞𝙘𝙪𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙣! 🎂💅

You may be our 𝘝𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘋𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, but to us, you'll always be the precious editor who never fails to deliver fresh concepts and pubmats that catch everyone's attention — pubmats that don't just look good, but carry messages of hope, awareness, and healing to people who need them most.

May this day remind you that people see you as so much more than a talented graphic artist… they see someone who quietly changes how people feel. Every pubmat you design stops someone mid-scroll, just long enough for the message to sink in. Every class you teach becomes someone's reason to keep going. There are people silently cheering for you, the same way you've always cheered for others.🤲

Whether it's designing pubmats or teaching students in the classroom, you've done it all with passion… even when no one was watching.

Here's to even bigger canvases for your creativity, more young minds for you to inspire, and more advocates you'll train to keep this movement equipped and ready to help.

𝘞𝘦’𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦. 💛🧷

— IYMHA Team

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IYMHA - Iligan Youth Mental Health Advocates

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