ASSESSMENTS

1. What is mental health? Why does it matter to advocate and address mental health
issues?
Mental health is the state of our mental wellness and it includes our cognitive, behavioral,
emotional, psychological, and social status. This means that mental health affects how we think,
behave, and feel. At some point, unfortunately, people associate mental health with mental
disorders, mostly in the absence of the latter. However, mental health is more than being
associated with those disorders because it gives importance to our holistic well-being. Mental
health is as important as our physical, spiritual, and social health. For that reason, advocating
mental health and addressing its issues are essential.
Advocating mental health and addressing issues in the mental health spectrum is vital
because it can improve our whole well-being. Mental health is an invisible dimension of our
health, yet it can cause a very visible outcome when neglected of our care; but it may bring
peace and joy when taken care of. To put it in a context, our brain and mind controls our body,
when we ignore our mental health it can have an adverse effect on our physical health.
Biologically, our brain controls our body through our nervous system, which means that it can
manipulate and manifest behaviors as well as its effects. Moreover, advocating for mental
health matters for it promotes life. It is known how mental health issues can lead to death at
different extends. For example, it can lead to health complications due to depression, or
otherwise, can lead to suicide. Advocating mental health and addressing these issues is
important and truly does matter for it promotes harmony, peace, and life.

2. Ask someone to share a story, experience, or circumstance in his/ her life. It can be
about his/her family, studies, friends, or self. Afterwards, answer the following questions.
a. How do you feel about the story you just heard? What was your first reaction? How
about as the story unfolded?
Recently, I have met one of my friends for some unwinding moments. During our
meeting, we have talked about our life, studies, and stuffs. Upon sharing, he told me how he
has been during this new normal, especially about his academic life. He told me that one of his
professors gave their class a low remark that almost terminate his scholarship. He felt extremely
worried because the scholarship is his way to survive his college life, especially during this
pandemic that makes no or less available financial assistance. He told me as well that his
remark is unreasonably low because he submitted every activities and projects correctly and
early before the deadlines. Initially, I was shocked by the remarks gave to them because the
subject he took was his forte, as a matter of fact, he competed for different academic
competitions related to that subject. He told me that he manifested different signs and
symptoms, such as fatigue, excessive irritation, uncontrollable feelings of worry, and difficulty in
sleeping. Despite those feelings, he was able to overcome those by addressing the cause of
those experiences. He contacted his professor and discussed about such and was given
consideration. Prior to that, he sent an appeal for consideration of his scholastic status in
Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and later update his grade. I was happy and
proud on how he bravely addressed his issues, especially considering his mental health.
 b. What were your thoughts regarding the signs and symptoms of this mental health
issue? Have you experienced any of these yourself or in someone you know?
My friend told me that he experienced fatigue, excessive irritation, uncontrollable
feelings of worry, and difficulty in sleeping. I observed that these signs and symptoms are due to
anxiety. Anxiety is the feeling of unease, worry, or fear, which varies depending on extremity or
mildness. It is normal to feel anxiety because it is normal, but we only need to manage our
feelings without suffocating ourselves and others. Likewise, I experienced the same feelings. In
the past few months during the first semester, my status of being a correspondence student
drew me into the feeling of anxiety, however I was able to overcome it.
c. How would you react if you noticed these in someone you care about?
If someone I care about felt or experienced the same thing, I will let them talk about their
problems, listen to them, and give them unconditional positive regards. It is important take an
action if we noticed signs and symptoms of the mental health issue because we may not know
what they had been through, so they must be provided with help. Our reaction should be an
action because what they need is a help. Furthermore, knowing their tendencies under mental
health issues, we must react that may not offend or worsen situation.
d. How might taking action benefit you and the person you care about?
Taking an action can save life. In the midst of the pandemic, many people suffer from
feelings that sometimes lead to harm themselves in different ways. Taking an action can save
them from inflicting self-harm, physically or mentally, prevent them from demotivation and
serious mental health issues, such as depression. Likewise, it would benefit me in a way that it
helps me get the peace of mind knowing that they could get better and way far from harming
themselves and risking their lives. It saves my tears from falling knowing that they are not
suffering as way before.
e. What actions could you take to help someone who is exhibiting these signs and
symptoms?
When someone is experiencing anxiety, the ways I help them are through listening to
their problems, expressing concern, giving unconditional positive regards (UPR), and referring
them to seek professional help. Listening to their problems and expressing concern can help
enlighten their mood, because it shows validation that they are worthy, and someone is there for
them. Likewise, providing them unconditional positive regard can notify them how good they are
and felt the validation of what they are capable of. Moreover, there are times that I refer them to
some professionals by giving a number hotline where they can ask on-line especially during this
pandemic. Through seeking professional help can assure the possible getting proper help.
These are the ways that I could take to help someone. Mental health is a sensitive matter that
must be taken carefully. When someone exhibit signs and symptoms, it is an important action to
avoid unsolicited advice.

f. What do you believe is important for anyone to be aware of if they know someone
with this mental health issue?
 I believe that it is important to know that anxiety is a common mental health issue that
must be taken seriously because when it is neglected, it can get worse. It is important also to
know that anxiety must be handle carefully. When a person feels anxiety, one must not give
advices, unless asked by them. It is important to know as well that helping them must be
considered to refer them to professionals.
g. What experiences have you had that are related to this story? What was similar?
What differed?
There were moments of my life that is related to my friend’s story. I experience anxiety as
well because my status as a scholar is what I must maintain until I graduate, especially during
this pandemic that it is hard to study in an area where distractions can easily divert attention.
There were times that I developed poor sleeping routine because of the fear that I might not be
doing my best in my academic life and receive a failing remark. I fear of losing what I have to
survive my tertiary education and during the pandemic as well. Likewise, I am doing my best to
maintain my scholarship. Apart from that, despite the fact that we both felt anxiety, I
experienced anxiety at home. I am worried that some members of my family feel angry because
I am no longer doing household chores, despite the fact that I do some of them and the rest of
my time is spent in writing commissions for extra financial support. Only it differed in a way that
he was given such remark despite his efforts. However, our stories are similar in the moment
that we cope with our issues successfully, and we will continue to address our issues.
3. With all the lessons you have learned from this modules and stories you have heard
from your interview, enumerate the methods and strategies that you have to prioritize in
keeping your mental health well and stable.
Mental health is as important as the physical health and we must take care of it. I have
learned that since there are factors that affect our mental well-being, and we must address it
carefully and accordingly. One of the strategies is to learn that there are things that we cannot
control, and we must not consume our time in changing those things, rather we must focus on
the things we can control. It is important to know that because overthinking and consuming time
on the things we cannot change may only worsen our mental health, thus we must be only
focused on the things we can change and learn from those we cannot. Another method to keep
my mental health well and stable is to reach out to our family and/or friends. It is good to talk
with the person we love or closed to about how we struggle, because this way it gives relief of
knowing they are listening to us and that we are not alone in any fight. Furthermore, we must
manage our emotions in a way that it does not suffocate us or others and does not affect the
way we make decisions. Another method is to take a break. Life can be hard and exhausting
sometimes and it is okay to take a break from something that affects our mental stability and
well-being. I have learned to not drown ourselves from issues, rather we must disembark from
the water and take a breath. Most importantly, I have learned to seek for professional help. In
this raging time, circumstances block us from doing some of the methods. However, we can
seek for help from professionals. There are hotlines that can help us despite the distance. In
conclusion, mental health is important, and we must put ourselves first when we feel not good
about our mental well-being, because it is not selfish but a wise decision to care for ourselves.