(SDG 3.3.5 – Mental Health Support for Students)
The University of the Cordilleras (UC) continued to strengthen its commitment to student mental health in 2024 through programs promoting mental well-being, access to support services, and the development of student skills in mental health care. These initiatives align with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 – Good Health and Well-Being, specifically Indicator 3.3.5, which emphasizes access to mental-health support for students, including proactive mental-wellness promotion and signposting to support services.
Promoting Mental Health Awareness and Well-Being
UC actively promoted mental wellness across the campus through student-focused campaigns, seminars, and activities. On January 20, 2024, the Guidance and Counseling Office (GCO) launched the #BERDEBeginnings program to welcome students into the new academic year and orient them on the mental-health support systems available at the University. The initiative emphasized early awareness of student-support services, encouraging help-seeking behavior and fostering a positive mental-health culture from the start of the year.
During the Mental Wellness Month celebration in November 2024, the GCO amplified mental-health advocacy through “Banaag” and #yesUCanBreakthrough initiatives. These campaigns aimed to reduce mental-health stigma, normalize discussions on emotional well-being, and create a campus culture that supports psychological resilience. Activities under this initiative promoted coping strategies, stress management, and mental-health awareness among students.
Access and Signposting to Mental Health Support Services
UC provided students with continued access to mental-health support services through the GCO. On June 15, 2024, the GCO launched “yesUCan RISE”, a student development program that promoted self-growth, emotional well-being, and success pathways. The initiative also signposted students toward guidance and counseling services—ensuring they were aware of where to seek support for mental-health concerns. These services remain available to all UC students and reflect the University’s commitment to accessible, student-centered support.
Extending its reach beyond the campus, the GCO conducted mental-health awareness activities for the youth of Barangay Irisan and Barangay Happy Hallow on July 24, 2024, through the program “A Dive into Mental Health Awareness.” This community-based outreach featured interactive sessions, mindfulness exercises, and discussions on coping strategies, providing participants with resources and referral pathways to professional support. Such initiatives demonstrate UC’s broader role in community mental-health advocacy and in strengthening its students’ engagement in social responsibility.
In addition to University-wide initiatives, the UC College of Nursing (UC-CON) reinforced mental-health awareness through profession-aligned training. On December 8, 2024, UC-CON hosted a seminar titled “Crisis and Care: Advancing Skills in Emergency Nursing and Mental Health Support”, which reinforced the importance of mental-health support during emergency and clinical situations. The seminar enhanced nursing students’ knowledge, competencies, and sensitivity in providing psychological care and emotional first-aid—bridging academic training with practical mental-health support.
Capacity Building for Faculty on Mental Health
Recognizing the importance of educator readiness, UC-CON faculty members attended the 2024 Mental Health and Well-Being RESET Summit held in Baguio City. This participation enabled nursing faculty to enhance their understanding of mental-health promotion, psychosocial support, and youth-focused well-being strategies. Strengthening faculty competencies contributes to a more supportive academic environment that prioritizes student mental health.
Summary
Collectively, these initiatives demonstrate UC’s comprehensive approach to student mental-health support: raising awareness, providing access to services, strengthening faculty capacity, and integrating mental-health education into student programs. Through continuous mental-health advocacy and accessible support services, the University fosters a caring, resilient, and well-supported academic community.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Alignment
| SDG | Indicator | Contribution of UC Mental-Health Initiatives |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being | 3.3.5 – Mental Health Support for Students | Promoted mental-health awareness through campaigns and seminars; signposted students to counseling services. |
| SDG 4 – Quality Education | 4.7 – Training for Well-Being | Built student competencies in emotional resilience, self-care, and mental-health literacy. |
| SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals | 17.17 – Collaboration | Strengthened partnerships through faculty participation in external mental-health development initiatives. |
References
University of the Cordilleras – Guidance and Counseling Office. (2024, January 20). UC Guidance and Counseling Kicks Off #BERDEBeginnings for Students.
https://gswc.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/01/20/uc-guidance-and-counseling-kicks-off-berdebeginnings-for-students/
University of the Cordilleras – Guidance and Counseling Office. (2024, June 15). Elevating Aspirations: GCO Launches yesUCan RISE for Career Success and Self-Growth.
https://gswc.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/06/15/elevating-aspirations-gco-launches-yesucan-rise-for-career-success-and-self-growth/
University of the Cordilleras – Guidance and Counseling Office. (2024, November 5). UC GCO Promotes Mental Wellness Through “Banaag” and #yesUCanBreakthrough Initiatives.
https://gswc.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/11/05/uc-gco-promotes-mental-wellness-through-banaag-and-yesucanbreakthrough-initiatives/
University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing. (2024, December 8). UC College of Nursing Hosts Seminar on Emergency Nursing and Mental Health Support for Students.
https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/12/08/university-of-the-cordilleras-college-of-nursing-hosts-seminar-on-emergency-nursing-and-mental-health-support-for-students/
University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing. (2024, March 21). UC-CON Faculty Attend the 2024 Mental Health and Well-Being RESET Summit in Baguio City.
https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/03/21/uc-con-faculty-attend-the-2024-mental-health-and-well-being-reset-summit-in-baguio-city/
University of the Cordilleras – Guidance and Counseling Office. (2024, July 24). A Dive into Mental Health Awareness from UC GCO for Youths of Barangay Irisan and Happy Hallow.
https://gswc.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/07/24/a-dive-into-mental-health-awareness-from-uc-gco-for-youths-of-barangay-irisan-and-happy-hallow/
