Heads Up PH

Join us this July 16, 2024 during the Su***de Prevention and Awareness in Higher Education Institutions and Info Session on the College Experience Survey (CES), hosted by the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities and the Private Education Assistance Committee.

Our very own Dr. Sheila Marie Hocson will discuss about Su***de Prevention and Awareness in Higher Education Institutions, highlighting our su***de prevention and mental health advocacy through the RACE Against Su***de project. This platform will as well inform potential partners about the project.

Register via the QR code below!

With great excitement and pleasure, the Unilab Foundation team welcomes Atty. Jose Maria "Joey" Ochave as our new Executive Director.

Atty. Joey's ability to build upon accomplishments and inspire progress in a collaborative environment is an invaluable asset that will drive our mission forward and guide us toward opportunities to reach more individuals and communities. His strategic vision and commitment to excellence make him a significant leader for our organization.

Together, we will continue to build a healthier and future-ready Philippines!

With great excitement and pleasure, the Unilab Foundation team welcomes Atty. Jose Maria "Joey" Ochave as our new Executive Director.

Atty. Joey's ability to build upon accomplishments and inspire progress in a collaborative environment is an invaluable asset that will drive our mission forward and guide us toward opportunities to reach more individuals and communities. His strategic vision and commitment to excellence make him a significant leader for our organization.

Together, we will continue to build a healthier and future-ready Philippines!

On behalf of every champion behind the RACE Against Su***de project, Unilab Foundation Up PH is honored to be awarded as this year's Outstanding CSR Project in Health during the League of Corporate Foundations - LCF's CSR Guild Awards night.

The RACE Against Su***de project empowers a crucial sector – the academe – with research-based tools to bridge the gap in mental health resources. And with our partners, the PGCA Official and the Department of Education through National Educators Academy of the Philippines, the RACE Project reached thousands of teaching and non-teaching personnel nationwide in 2023 alone.

However, the true success story unfolds in schools across the Philippines. Every passionate teacher, counselor, and personnel applying their knowledge in real-life situations contributes to the vision of a mentally healthy nation. They are what makes the RACE Against Su***de project a movement that breathes and shares life – both to the advocate, and the reason for this advocacy.

This project emphasizes that mental health and wellbeing is not just the work of professionals – it is everyone’s responsibility.

Together, we can help nurture and sustain a safe space for every young Filipino – all towards a mentally healthy and thriving Philippines.

Unilab Foundation through Heads Up PH in partnership with the Immaculate Conception Academy (ICA) in Greenhills, trained new Gatekeepers from ICA with the RACE Against Su***de module.

The one-day session helped equip personnel with para counseling skills and basic knowledge on su***de through discussions and simulation activities on the use the Columbia Su***de Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS).

: Faculty and non-teaching personnel from De La Salle University training led by LCIDWell Mental Health Care & Well-being Unit, in partnership with the DLSU Office of Counseling and Career Services (OCCS). The session was facilitated by our partners and trainers who are members of the PGCA Official - Ms. Remedios Moog, Ms. Marissa Pascual, and Dr. Myla Pilar Pamplona.

: CHED partners with Unilab Foundation for su***de prevention program

CHED partners with Unilab for su***de prevention program | ANC Here are the stories that made it to ANC's "Top Story."Join ANC PRESTIGE to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvi6hEzLM-Z_unKPSuuzKvg/join...

Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) chair Prospero de Vera III emphasized the need for specialized approaches to address mental health concerns among higher education learners in his message during the MOU signing between CHEd and Unilab Foundation.

Read more here:

CHEd: Special approaches needed to address mental health among students MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) chair Prospero de Vera III emphasized on Tuesday that mental health problems among college students need specialized approaches

Unilab Foundation and the Commission on Higher Education(CHED) formed a legal partnership to promote su***de prevention in Higher Education Institutions as part of the Commission's mental health initiatives under the Healthy Learning Institutions framework. With particular focus on su***de prevention and peer-to-peer counseling, and conducted with the participation of the PGCA Official and PGCA Peer Organization of the Philippines (PAP), these modules will be cascaded to Higher Education Institution representatives through a planned three-fold training of trainers this year.

“Addressing mental health concerns requires a very good grasp of the issue, training, and the tools we need to do it. As we go along, the problem of mental health awareness and wellbeing becomes more and more challenging, so we need expertise, toolkits; we need to train those who will be with the students so that we can respond better,” emphasized Dr. J. Prospero “Popoy” de Vera III, Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in his message.

“This [RACE Against Su***de] Toolkit is a valuable resource that is being used to train school personnel to recognize and assess suicidal tendencies, and respond promptly to the student’s situation, convincing the individual to seek help and, when he or she is ready, entrusting the individual to professionals. Through this Project, more students have been professionally assessed and received the help they need. We know RACE is needed, too, by students in higher education,” remarked Ms. Lilibeth Arisorenas, Executive Director of the Unilab Foundation. “There is much anticipation in this partnership because there are more students to start conversations with, care for, and reach out to,” she shared.

“In behalf of the Commission, I’m very happy that this is happening so that we start training trainers who will now train others and cascade this in all our Higher Education Institutions. I thank Unilab [Foundation] for partnering with CHED. Our collaboration sends a signal to our universities – both public and private – that the Commission takes this seriously. It also sends a signal to our students that we care about their mental health, that we will do everything within our capacity as a Commission to help,” said Chairperson De Vera.

Unilab Foundation

This rainy season can be a perfect time to curl up and enjoy some relaxing activities.​ Here are some mindful activities to try in this season of hot cocoas and rain boots!

Learn more about how to keep yourself healthy during the rainy season here: https://www.unilab.com.ph/articles/how-to-stay-healthy-during-the-rainy-season

Maligayang Araw ng Kalayaan, Pilipinas! Sa paggunita natin ng araw na ito, atin ding higit na pagnilayan ang halaga at kahulugan ng kalayaang ating tinatamasa ngayon. 💭💭💭

Last week, PAGASA has announced the official start of rainy season in the Philippines.​

How do rainy days make you feel?​ Whether you feel positively, negatively (or non-chalantly!) towards this new season, here’s a “Wellbeing during the rainy season” guide for some quick reminders!​

: Iloilo partners with Unilab Foundation to bolster its mental health programs, formalizing its commitment to enhancing the welfare of Ilonggo families and addressing pressing concerns on mental health and youth empowerment.

Iloilo partners with Unilab to bolster mental health programs ILOILO CITY – The Iloilo provincial government has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Unilab Foundation Inc. (UFI) to bolster its mental health programs.

See you in a few for the livestream of the First National Brain & Mental Health Research Symposium entitled “Paglilinaw sa mga Alingawngaw: Breaking Stigmas in Mental Health through Research and Development” on April 11, 2024, 7 AM to 1 PM.

Learn about diverse perspectives on mental health and the pivotal role of research in policy formation from our esteemed speakers. Join our panel of mental health advocates as we discuss Council initiatives and ways to champion mental health through research and development.

Only 2 days left until the First National Brain & Mental Health Research Symposium entitled “Paglilinaw sa mga Alingawngaw: Breaking Stigmas in Mental Health through Research and Development” on April 11, 2024, 7 AM to 1 PM.

Learn about diverse perspectives on mental health and the pivotal role of research in policy formation from our esteemed speakers. Join our panel of mental health advocates as we discuss Council initiatives and ways to champion mental health through research and development.

While all Zoom slots are currently filled, participants are encouraged to tune in via Facebook livestream. All attendees will be eligible to receive a certificate upon filling out the evaluation form at the end of the program.

See you there!

: Unilab Foundation, through Heads Up PH, supports DepEd's MATATAG agenda by promoting learner well-being through its holistic programs.

Unilab Foundation

Unilab supports DepEd’s 'Batang Matatag' with physical and mental health programs Unilab joins hands with the Department of Education to help public school teachers, learners, and their parents have access to basic healthcare and health education in their partner school communities.

Happy International Women's Day!​

Let's celebrate this day to and empowerment of women in varying spheres, all towards a mentally healthy Philippines.​

Unilab Foundation

Join the ILO-TESDA Online Job Readiness Course this February 14, Wednesday!

An online and in-person course developed by the ILO in cooperation with the Information Technology Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), this course will help provide job readiness training for trainers and learners who wish to enter the business processing sector.

Build your self-confidence as you learn the success stories of other women, gain knowledge and skills to ace the employer selection process, and demonstrate the skills needed to reach your career goals today!

For more details, please contact Ms Linartes Viloria at [email protected] or via mobile at 09178360201.

Yesterday, the Bayanihan for Wellbeing Collaborative convened for a back-to-back session on policy advocacy and year-end planning.

Leaders and key personnel from its core organizations namely, the Philippine Psychiatric Association, Psychological Association of the Philippines, the Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association, Philippine Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Philippine Pediatric Society, attended the first-ever training on Legislative Policy Advocacy, a training for health leaders co-organized by the Public Policy Advocacy and Research Unit, Heads Up PH, and the Health Sector Skills Council team.

Following this session, the leaders were able to review and agree on the BWB's strategic direction, ensuring sustainability through collaborative work and clear vision-casting.

FREE WEBINAR INVITE!

Join us to the Commission on Higher Education - Office of Student Development and Services' (OSDS) "A WELLBEING WEBINAR IN SU***DE PREVENTION AMONG HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS" this December 7, 2023 at 8:00 am to 12:00 NN via online conference application.

The objectives of the activity are as follows:
1. Institute a program specifically on su***de prevention and promote help-seeking behaviors in the school community;
2. Initiate the extensive orientation and capacity-building/training activities of school administrators and heads, guidance counselors, and other interested participants about su***de prevention;
3. Emphasize the prioritization within the HEI for a presence of mental health preparedness program and an active referral system; and;
4. Strengthen convergence among the HEls and share practices and initiatives.

Please confirm your attendance through the link https://bit.ly/3QSWzMd or QR Code!

For any questions or clarification, you may contact the OSDS Local Student Affairs Division, through telephone number (02) 8988-0001 or email address [email protected]

Unilab Foundation

The Unilab Foundation and STI Education Services Group sign a Memorandum of Understanding in order to promote a

This partnership with ULF's mental health pillar, Heads Up PH, aims to reach STI schools nationwide to better equip their Guidance Counselors, educators, and school personnel on mental health and su***de prevention.

Celebrate Play as the right of the child this week and harness its benefits today

Heads up, Play partners and advocates!​

We're a few days away to the National Children's Month and the National Play Advocacy Week (NPAW), a week-long celebration that celebrates and advocates children's right to play. This year, we're focusing on how play brings about holistic health and wellbeing!

Follow the Philippine Play Coalition page to be updated on this event!

A milestone for RACE 💚

Unilab Foundation through Heads Up PH's RACE Against Su***de receives the bronze award during the Healthy Pilipinas Awards, under the National Healthy Settings category.

The RACE Against Su***de Toolkit was conceptualized during the onset of the pandemic to help bridge the gap between the limited number of mental health workers by training school personnel to become effective gatekeepers in schools through appropriate identification, management, and referral of students at-risk of su***de.

Co-developed with experts on guidance and counseling and child psychiatry, the Toolkit is now being rolled out nationwide through the efforts on the Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association PGCA Official and the Unilab Foundation - Heads Up PH.

As of July this year, the advocacy and rollout has reached over 3300 personnel nationwide.

In partnership with the National Educators' Academy of the Philippines (NEAP), we held the first-ever 5-day capacity-building workshop with 70 Guidance Counselors and psychometricians in DepEd schools from regions I, III, and IV-A. This helped equip the participants with knowledge, skills, and values focused on su***de prevention, counselor self-care, and counseling supervision. Participants were able to benchmark and share practices to benefit everyone on the workshop.​

"We have seen how important our role is in addressing cases of su***des among our learners. Our abilities were enhanced with this training and were able to level up our competence in helping our learners. So, finally, we can say that we were able to finish another lap towards excellence," shared Mr. Elmer Belmonte, a participant from DepEd Region I.​

During its wrap-up Friday, Ms. Millie. Fudolig, RGC, RPm of the NEAP challenged the participants to pursue three key actions: capacitate teachers and Guidance designates on the RACE Against Su***de's first module, conduct activities and interventions related to mental health, and beef up the monitoring and evaluation system by committing to submit and participate in related activities and requirements.​

Unilab Foundation

Today is World Mental Health Day 2023 – and we are one with the world in this advocacy.​

Let’s take this opportunity to unite towards knowing more about mental health as everyone's human rights, towards promoting and protecting this right.​ Towards a world where mental health is a priority. 🤗