𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗮 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 ‘𝗜 𝗔𝗺 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱’ 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀

Around 650 senior high school and college students gathered at the Jose Rizal Coliseum on Saturday, September 19, for a mental health wellness forum that launched the “I Am Loved” Campaign, a citywide initiative promoting mental health awareness and support among young people and communities.

Led by Calamba City Lone District Representative CHA Hernandez , the event sought to encourage open conversations about mental health, reduce stigma, and help young people recognize when and where to seek support for emotional and psychological concerns.

The campaign featured two major components: the “Mind Your Mind, Young Champions!” Mental Health Wellness Forum and the formalization of a partnership between the Office of the Lone District Representative and the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA).

The initiatives bring together students, government representatives, mental health professionals, advocates, and community partners to strengthen mental health education, awareness, and referral mechanisms in schools and communities.

PMHA highlights community-based mental health support

Dr. Carolina Uno Rayco, RGC, RPsy, National Executive Director of PMHA, discussed depression and other mental health concerns affecting young people during the forum.

Rayco emphasized the need to equip health workers, educators, and community advocates with the knowledge and skills to recognize mental health concerns and provide appropriate initial support.

She also highlighted PMHA’s continuing efforts to train and capacitate individuals at the grassroots level, particularly in barangays, to expand access to mental health information, education, and services.

Meanwhile, Calamba City Vice Mayor Angelito “Totie” Lazaro said a training-of-trainers program could be implemented by tapping the existing workforce at the barangay level.

In an interview, Lazaro said these community-level workers could help disseminate mental health information and awareness, bringing education and appropriate support closer to residents.

Partnership formalized through MOA signing

The partnership between the Office of Representative Hernandez-Alcantara and PMHA was formalized through the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), one of the key components of the “I Am Loved” Campaign.

PMHA President Architect Mariano Arce Jr. and Rayco signed the agreement on behalf of the organization.

The partnership focuses on mental health promotion, psychoeducation, and referral mechanisms, with the goal of bringing reliable information and support services closer to students, families, and communities in Calamba.

Young champions encouraged to speak up

In her message, Hernandez-Alcantara encouraged the participating students to become advocates for mental wellness and help foster a culture of understanding and compassion toward people experiencing mental health challenges.

She underscored the importance of having someone to talk to and knowing where to seek assistance during difficult times.

Through the “I Am Loved” Campaign, organizers are promoting open conversations about mental health and encouraging young people to seek support from trusted family members, friends, professionals, and other support networks when needed.BINI Cong. ChaI AM CHAnge