Ifugao SK focuses on youth’s mental health awareness

September 14, 2020 Provincial

LAGAWE, Ifugao —Being young is being responsible. This is the message of Ifugao Sangguniang Kabataan federation president Aezle D. Dumangeng, as she shared their role as youth in creating public awareness and social services during the Covid-19 pandemic as well how they are helping address the social impact of the health crisis, in today’s Laging Handa Netwerk Briefing News with PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar.
Dumangeng said that during the lockdown, there was a surge in suicide and rape cases in the provinces.
Thus, her group is focusing on the mental health concerns of the youth. The youth are involved in an anti-suicide campaign dubbed “Oplan Pamhod Hi Biyag” (love/value of life) spearheaded by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and the Ifugao Police Provincial Office to mobilize government agencies and other stake stakeholders to address the concern on suicide incidence.
The SK is also currently conducting online contests for the youth like spoken word poetry, painting, and singing competitions including the indigenous to keep the youth busy while honing their skills or discovering their talents.
Another initiative is the 40-Day Online Exercise Challenge to encourage the youth to be physically active in their homes which helps prevent depression. Dumangeng shared that they are looking forward to sponsoring a focus group discussion on mental health awareness to discuss the causes of youth suicides during this pandemic and “Encounter with Self” seminar.
PIA – CAR