“Mental health problems don’t define who you are. They are something you experience. You walk in the rain and you feel the rain, but you are not the rain.” – Matt Haig
Suffering silently never solved a problem. More often than not, it aggravates the situation. Silent people are often assumed to be arrogant, hard to read, and bullied because some humans thought they would not counterattack.
The World Health Organization (WHO) conceptualizes mental health as a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his abilities, can cope with the stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can contribute to his community. To commemorate National Mental Health Awareness Month, various organizations, colleges, and institutions in the University of Makati (UMak) posted inspirational messages on their Facebook page last October 10-14, 2022, following Presidential Proclamation No. 452 series of 1994.
Its goal is not only to spread awareness about the stigma associated with mental health but to remind the students, faculties, and workers of UMak alike to take a break, breathe, and relax when things get too overwhelming. Being mindful of what other people feel is good, but please learn to forgive yourself for the things that happened beyond your control. You have suffered enough already. Go easy on yourself. / Written by Ester Joy Serrano | USMO
