In a powerful show of empathy and action, the Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas (LPU-B) Counseling and Testing Center (CATC) marked World Suicide Prevention Month with a series of activities that encouraged dialogue, connection, and hope across all three campuses.
With the theme “Creating Hope Through Action,” the campaign invited students, faculty, and staff to recognize the role each one plays in supporting mental health and saving lives. Through simple yet meaningful initiatives, CATC sought to remind the community that even small acts of care can create ripples of hope for those silently struggling.
Among the highlights was the Freedom Wall, where participants freely shared messages of encouragement, self-love, and resilience. Located in key areas of the Main, Riverside, and LIMA campuses, the wall became a space where students and employees could express themselves and remind others that they are not alone.
Complementing this was the distribution of brochures and leaflets containing practical information on mental health, including the warning signs of suicide, ways to offer help, and guidelines for teachers and peers who wish to provide support. The materials, shared across departments and offices, emphasized the importance of awareness as the first step toward prevention.
Recognizing the power of digital platforms, CATC also launched a social media campaign featuring personal stories, infographics, and videos on understanding suicide and promoting help-seeking behavior. The series, “Understanding Suicide,” featured insightful discussions from CATC’s registered guidance counselors, including Ms. Sheena Wella G. Arguelles, Mr. Jojo Amurao, Dr. Maria Rochelle Sasuya, Ms. Ayessa Grace Muñoz, Mrs. Emely Linatoc, and Ms. Katrina Celine Obligar. Each episode tackled different facets of suicide awareness—from risk factors and warning signs to ways of extending compassion and professional help.
Through its ongoing advocacy, LPU-B continues to foster a community where mental health is not a taboo topic, but a shared responsibility. By empowering individuals to act with understanding and empathy, the university reinforces that every voice, every gesture, and every moment of care can make a difference.
