On February 12, 2025, Grade 10 and 12 students, together with their faculty and staff gathered at SJC Mandia Gym for a Mental Health Symposium entitled, โMind Matters: Empowering Grades 10 & 12 for Mental Wellnessโ. Organized by the SJC SHS Department, the event aims to impart knowledge to students on how to manage mental health issues, particularly pressure as they embark on their future academic pursuits.
The event officially started with warm welcome remarks from the SHS Principal and the schoolโs Vice President for Academics โ Dr. Jhoanne L. Costillas, who emphasized the pressure felt by mostly all Grade 10 and 12 as they faced more academic demands and responsibilities in their pivotal years. She stressed that pressures left unresolved can significantly impact one’s mental state.
The master of ceremonies, Mr. Jose Albert Narona, an English instructor and a faculty member proudly introduced the eventโs keynote speaker who is a proud alumni of our beloved institution, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at University of San Jose Recoletos.
In her talk, Ms. Mitzi Marie L. Dizon, CHRA began by a short energizer to check the audience and followed afterwards her discussion, tackling first “the art of taking things slow” and how it can bring balance to our fast-paced world. She used the โpressure cookerโ to represent every individual. Just like a pressure cooker, if we utilize it properly, it can make our tasks easier and faster, but if we donโt handle it with care, it may not function well and worse – will explode. Just like us, if we donโt manage the pressure weโre feeling, we might tend to be overwhelmed and not function well.
Additionally, she also stressed the factors that fuels pressure such as society, family, peers, and even the expectation we set on ourselves. Society who always sets standards on people is one of the major factors why individuals face too much pressure because they tend to get pressured on meeting the standards set by them. Family, on the other note, was also considered one of the contributing factors of pressure in cases that some parents and family members dictate their childโs future plans and pressured them out of their will. Friends or peers can also be a source of pressure in some cases that students, to be particular, feel too much pressure on their friendsโ achievements, plans, and success.
On this pressing issues that most students in their pivotal years, especially those who are torn out on what career path to pursue, Ms. Dizon shared some practical tips that can help someone who is bombarded with too much stress and pressure.
Always practice taking things small. Just like a cliche quote, โLife is not a raceโ, we must not compete with others and feel pressured on the things they achieve because we have our own timeline and are unique to each other. We must happily celebrate their success while waiting for our spotlight to come. Also, managing time wisely by avoiding cramming and procrastination can help to avoid the feeling of pressure from many academic responsibilities. The key to managing all these academic tasks is proper utilization of time by arranging what tasks weigh heavier and needs to be done first before the other. It is very important that accomplishing one step at a time is better than doing nothing at all. Also, choose your support system wisely and surround yourself with peers who are a good influence and supportive to you. In this way, you can slowly achieve what your realistic goals are while being assured that you have these best people cheering on you.
Also, learn to communicate openly by reaching out to your family, teachers or even run to the guidance office if you feel that everything is a battlefield full of pressure for you. It is sometimes good to share what bothers you to those individuals you feel comfortable with and hear some valuable insights on them, especially to someone who is professional where you can be inspired. Seeking support is not a weakness, but a strength you can use to continue your journey across paving your future.
Most importantly, always remember that failure is normal and is part of our lives. Our lives are not just an easy peasy journey where we are assured that only great things aligned to what we dreamed will happen. There are times that we will stumble and fall and with this experience, we must be inspired to continue and look on the positive side of the coin.
She concluded her talk by reminding everyone to practice being kind to oneself and not be driven by the pressure around our surroundings – be it the society, peers, family or your own high expectations, for it is only you who is responsible for your life.
After the invaluable talk, the giving of certificate to the keynote speaker followed, and afterwards a short open forum took place that was actively participated by the students. The closing remark was delivered by Ms. Rose Via Magi.
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Words: Ma. Antonnette Gilos | The Josephinian
Photos: Jayvy Nabo, Dion Keith Animos, Therese Cammelle Piรฑeda | The Josephinian