By Mitchell Jared Cruz De Silva Φ2021
In the year since the COVID-19 pandemic first broke out, the world as we know it has changed greatly. From lockdown restrictions, lost jobs, along with the rising death toll, the new normal has prompted a surge of unique challenges among different sectors. This difficulty extends even to students, who have to contend with a very sudden shift from a traditional set up to one that heavily involves online learning. The adjustment that ensues is often difficult to process for some, and this may lead to concerns surrounding their mental health.
Recognizing these pressing issues, the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity aimed to raise awareness on the impact of the pandemic on mental health and address the stigma surrounding it. Through its socio-civic arm, the Pagkalinga sa Kalusugan ng Mamamayan (PAGKALMA), the Fraternity developed the Kabataang Usapang Isipan: Mental Health Research Competition, an offshoot of its flagship service project, Usapang Isipan. This online competition involved research outputs from high school students across the country. In a 2-3 page research paper, the teams were asked to identify the main mental health problem in their respective schools and to come up with a proposed solution and action plan to address it. Of the 32 teams who submitted, 10 were given the opportunity to advance to the final round and present in front of a team of expert panelists. To further showcase the content of their research, each team was also asked to prepare a poster of their research, which would be featured in the PAGKALMA Facebook page. The poster with the most shares and likes at the end of the competition was awarded PHP 1,500 along with e-voucher codes from the event sponsors.
The culminating activity for the Research Competition was held last May 29, 2021 via Zoom and was live streamed on Facebook through both the PAGKALMA page and the official DepEd Philippines page. The event was hosted by two of the newest members to the Most Venerable Fold, Raul Vicente Orosa Recto Jr. Φ2021 and Raphael Alfonso Javier Dy Santos Φ2021.
To formally start the event, Jocelyn D. R. Andaya, the current Director IV of the Bureau of Curriculum Development of the Department of Education (DepEd), gave her opening remarks. Given the unexpected circumstances brought about by the pandemic, she mentioned how these new challenges greatly affected learners nowadays, further highlighting its impact on their mental health. She then discussed how DepEd is constantly developing programs and employing new strategies to help students adjust to the new setup. Director Andaya then stressed how any effort to increase awareness of the youth on mental health will always be welcomed by DepEd.
The program proceeded to introduce the five panelists tasked to assess all presentations. Apart from evaluating the submissions, they also shared their insights and provided helpful feedback to the presenting teams, aiding in the further development of their respective projects. The panel of judges for the KUI presentation included an array of experts in their respective fields: Dr. Maria Lourdes Rosanna De Guzman, Ms. Chantal Ellis T. Corpuz, Dr. Alberto M. Ong, Jr. Φ2008B, Mr. Yves Miel H. Zuñiga and Dr. Jaifred Christian F. Lopez Φ2006.
Vince Justin Uy Tiu Φ2019B, one of the Kabataang Usapang Isipan Overall Heads, gave the mechanics of the competition and the criteria for judging. The team presentations were evaluated based on their mental health understanding, project idea, project planning and delivery.
Teams were placed in a breakout room, which served as their waiting area before their allotted time to present in the main room. Once each team entered the main room, the KUI organizers screenshared their pre-recorded video, which was timed strictly for ten minutes. Upon finishing, three designated panelists were then given five minutes to voice their reactions or follow up questions to the team.
The first to present was Team Jeromian Sentinel from St. Jerome Integrated School of Cabuyao, Inc. with their research entitled BRISE UP: Building Resilient Institution and Students Empowered through Upskilling Program. Team Oryente from Mataas na Paaralang Neptali A. Gonzales then followed by presenting their research entitled, Social Interaction of Students in Handling Stress and Anxiety During the Pandemic: Basis on the Implementation of Calibrating Opportunities for Personal Efficacy (Project COPE). The third team to present was Team STEM Otoscope from the Lyceum of the Philippines University – Manila with their research entitled, Tiktok as a Medium to Promote Psychological Well-being among Filipino Youth. The team utilized Tiktok to raise awareness on mental health, with plans to set up a website that would serve as a platform for students to express their thoughts and seek professional help anonymously when needed. Next, Team Brighter Juan from Juan F. Triviño Memorial High School shared their research entitled, Project Brighter Juan. Team Alpas from Antipolo National High School then went on to discuss, The Role of Attention in Mental Health Creating a Culture of Focus at Antipolo NHS.
After a short intermission, Team Francis Five from PAREF Southridge School proceeded to present their research entitled, The PLAY Project: Addressing the Impact of Social Separation brought about by the COVID-19 Pandemic to the Online Gaming Habits and Loneliness of Adolescent Students. Through their 10-week program, which included exploring other recreational activities and setting up appropriate personal schedules, they intend to reduce the prevalence of problematic online gamers by 20% in their school. Team Deep Rest from National University – Fairview subsequently followed, as they presented their research entitled, Helping Hand Organization: A Guide to Healthy Mental Well-Being. The eighth team to present was Team Fun-demic Brain Cells from Saint Jude Catholic School with their research entitled, Redefining the Remote Learning Program (RLP): A Fun-demic Wellness Initiative for Incoming Grade 12 Students. With a creative presentation inspired by Pixar’s Inside Out, they managed to entertain the panelists and viewers while also being able to effectively present the content of their research. Team IntelliGens from General Emilio Aguinaldo National High School came after, with their research entitled, Mending Minds League: Overcoming Learning Anxiety in the New Normal through an Emerging Helpline Website. Finally, Team Hiraya Manawari from Systems Plus Computer College presented their research entitled, Mental Distress due to COVID-19: A Hindrance to Better Academic Performance.
Before the announcement of the winners, Dr. De Guzman, on behalf of the panelists, provided a brief synthesis for each presentation. Highlighting the significant points raised, she then went on to commend all teams for their efforts and innovative ideas in developing projects that aimed to address the mental health concerns of students.
With their research entitled The PLAY Project, the Francis Five from PAREF Southridge School claimed the coveted title of Grand Winner, taking home the grand prize of PHP 10,000 along with e-vouchers from the event sponsors. Teams Fun-demic Brain Cells from Saint Jude Catholic School and STEM Otoscope from Lyceum of the Philippines University – Manila were announced as the 1st Runner-Up with a cash prize of PHP 7500 and 2nd Runner-Up with a cash prize of PHP 2500 respectively. Meanwhile, the Most Reacts and Shares Award was awarded to team Children of Id from Batasan Hills National High School, whose poster garnered 4,800 reactions and 67,000 shares on Facebook.
As the event drew to a close, one of the Kabataang Usapang Isipan Overall Heads, Vincenz Constantine Tankiang Ferrer Φ2021, delivered his closing remarks. He expressed his utmost gratitude for the immeasurable support and participation from the schools and everyone involved in the event. As online education presents a variety of mental health concerns, the invaluable insights and imaginative alternatives developed through the KUI: Mental Health Research Competition will hopefully serve as a pertinent solution and means to help students endure the difficulties of online learning.
In the end, the event paved the way for the first partnership of the Fraternity with the Department of Education, having coursed several promotional materials through their official Facebook page. With its extended reach, the KUI: Mental Health Research Competition was able to draw teams from different parts of the country with submissions even coming from areas beyond Luzon.
Through these accomplishments, the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity has once again proven its role as a fearless trailblazer that continually advocates for mental health. From its first iteration of Usapang Isipan to its inaugural KUI Research Competition, the Fraternity has continually held its ground in advocating for mental health awareness, and it will certainly continue to do so in the years to come.
