On April 15, 16, and 27, 2023, nursing students from the University of the Cordilleras College of Nursing participated in a self-awareness activity, a critical component of their preparation for psychiatric nursing clinical exposure. The event took place at Roseville Park Center, a psychiatric facility, and the UC Theater, under the guidance of Clinical Instructor April Ann Bocato.

The self-awareness activity allowed students to reflect on their strengths, weaknesses, biases, and expectations, providing them with a crucial foundation for building therapeutic relationships in psychiatric care. It emphasized the importance of personal understanding and sensitivity in establishing trust with patients and managing complex face-to-face interactions with individuals facing mental health challenges.

This training was recognized as a key prerequisite before students’ exposure to psychiatric institutions, helping them develop the empathy, professionalism, and readiness needed to be effective mental health practitioners in the future.