The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), together with the Guidance and Counseling Division of the Office of Student Affairs, UP Los Banos (UPLB), conducted Life Coaching Seminar-Workshops on 11 and 18 March 2019.
The Seminar-Workshop aimed at assisting University faculty members, staff and personnel in helping students thrive and develop positive life skills through a mentor-mentee relationship. UPLB-OSA staff members facilitated the events, led by Ms. Janett A. Dolor, Head of the Guidance and Counseling Division; with Dr. Erick Vernon Y. Dy, Head of the International Students Division and OSA Consultant on Guidance and Counseling Program; and Ms. Analyn V. Rapas, Guidance Services Specialist.
The first part of the workshop focused on Basic Facilitating Skills. Dr. Erick Vernon Dy stated that in compliance with the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) of the Mental Health Law, universities are required to respond to specific situations involving mental health issues. In UPOU, the front liners are the life coaches or the mental health first aiders. For some students, UPOU is the source of their dopamine. He stressed that listening is very important and UPOU life coaches need to listen before they judge. Several factors like the tone of voice, behavior, action, facial expressions, and body language need to be considered in order to focus on the client. Empathy is also crucial as this helps UPOU life coaches to understand the situation of the client and helps in probing deeper. There must be certainty that life coaches will be able to help and give encouragement. In situations where further help is needed, life coaches need to know how to refer to the proper institution.
The next facilitator, Ms. Janett A. Dolor, emphasized how to identify students at risk. She started the session by explaining what mental health is and stated that mental health includes emotional health, psychological health, and social well-being. It affects how people feel, think and act and determines how to handle stress, relate to others and make choices. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is a state of well-being wherein the individual realizes his/her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make contributions to the community. Experts say anybody can develop mental health problems such as biological imbalances, family history, environmental factors, and life’s experiences. Awareness is important and the ability to be able to identify the signs and symptoms is a crucial role of the mental health first aiders. Ms. Dolor affirmed that mental health problem is common but help is available.
The last part of the seminar was a workshop facilitated by Ms. Analyn V. Rapas. According to Ms. Rapas, the workshop was the application of what has transpired during the entire session.
The two half-day seminar-workshops were attended by the UPOU regular faculty members, affiliate faculty members and student support staff of UPOU offices. (Linda Manarin)
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