MH Awareness Walk strengthens campaign for mental health, SOGIE rights
By Patricia Lumenario
After a three-year halt, the University was again filled with psychology students campaigning for advocacies during the Mental Health Awareness Walk to cap off the UST Psychology Week last Friday, March 3.
Apart from breaking the stigma around mental health issues, students also advocated for ways to protect and uphold an individual’s SOGIE, and rights to education during the traditional walk organized by the UST Psychology Society.
Following the Disney-themed activity, students were encouraged to give emphasis on the importance of the mentioned advocacies through making simple signages or props.
Each block had their own signages with statements such as: “Seeking help is strength,” “Love knows no Limits,” “Pondohan ang Kabataan,” “Disenteng trabaho para sa lahat, daan sa bayang angat,” and “Increase the budget, decrease the stigma.”
The parade started at the Plaza Mayor and traveled along Osmena Drive, Intramuros Drive, and ended at the Quadricentennial Pavilion.
According to External Vice President of the Psychology Society Vian Senier, the event was successful as they received positive feedback, even though they were still adjusting as this was their first face-to-face event since the pandemic.
“I believe [the notable occurrence] was the bond and enjoyment that everyone had while chanting our cheers,” Senier told TomasinoWeb.
After the walk, Thomasian artist groups Fourtes, Papapeta, Colinas, Saving Sunday, UST Psychology Talent Pool, and its Dance Troupe also performed for the concert held in the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Auditorium.
During the previous years, the celebration was conducted through online events, replacing the walk with pre-recorded performances from Thomasian talents and inviting guest speakers to tackle different advocacies.
