Relying on loved ones, expressing emotions, finding joy in little things, focusing on the controllable, being thankful, practicing mindfulness and meditation, joining a support group, and reconnecting with life’s purpose are several ways a person can defeat an existential crisis.

December 15, 2022 — To celebrate the 2022 Mental Health Month, the UP Manila College of Arts and Sciences Office of Student Services, in partnership with the UP Behavioral Science Society, conducted a five-day webinar series in October to tackle mental health issues.

The opening episode on Oct. 14 had Asst. Prof. Andrea Martinez discuss the prevalence, prevention, and recommended interventions of suicide. According to the professor, suicide is the second leading cause of death worldwide among the 15-29 age group, with women tending to be more likely to attempt suicide and men being more likely to die from it, based on statistics. Martinez defined depression as a risk for suicidality but clarified that not all suicide cases are caused by the mental illness.

In other instances, it is catalyzed by other forms of mental disorders such as bipolar and borderline personality disorders, adverse life experiences, personal and interpersonal conflicts, and the intense but inarticulate cry for help. Other risks involve having current ideations, previous history of attempts, alcohol or substance abuse, previous psychiatric condition, and impulsivity or poor self-control.

Termed the “3As” (Approach, Assess, Assist), Martinez shared these strategies on how to deal with individuals who are currently having suicide crises.

First, she assured that it is safe to Approach and try a conversation with them. Suicidality, she said, is oftentimes an indication that a person has exceeded his or her capacity to cope with stress; therefore, listening to them can help release their emotional baggage.

In instances where a person expresses his or her suicidal ideations, “IPAD” (Ideation, Plan, Availability of Means, Date, and Time) approach can help in Assessing the gravity of the situation and appropriate action. The last step is to Assist the person by genuinely caring and listening, staying calm in responding to the person’s sentiments, and offering hope that alternatives to suicide are available. Leaving the person alone, especially in the most vulnerable times, is strictly discouraged as it puts the person’s life in danger. 

Meaning of Life

On the second day, Oct. 18, Asst. Prof. Ignatius Vinzons from the CAS Department of Social Sciences linked mental health issues with existential issues. Existential crisis is a condition where someone persistently experiences negative feelings and emotions concerning the meaning and purpose of life. “Man is a rational animal”, the professor stressed, and so when someone doesn’t understand its existence, he or she finds it hard to live life as it is.

According to the professor, the experience of existential crisis leads to several issues such as anxiety, depression, isolation from family and friends, and lack of motivation and energy, among others. Relying on loved ones, expressing emotions, finding joy in little things, focusing on the controllable, being thankful, practicing mindfulness and meditation, joining a support group, and reconnecting with life’s purpose are several ways a person can defeat an existential crisis.

On the third day, Oct. 19, Mr. Reginald Paul Centeno, a psychologist from the Ateneo Bulatao Center, tackled myriad ways to cope with stress. Stress is defined as a person’s normal reaction to a demand or challenge which when experienced too much can be harmful to an individual depending on his or her vulnerabilities. According to Centeno, identifying the best coping strategy is not a one-size-fits-all but is relative to every person.

“Be enough for yourself first, the rest of the world can wait”, said Asst. Prof. Marie Diane Monsada from the CAS Department of Behavioral Sciences as she shared tips on caring for one’s self on the fourth day of the series. She emphasized that self-care must include care of the physical body, emotional well-being, and social life. She added that self-care doesn’t always have to be grand. It can be anything that “helps you live well and improve both your physical and mental health.”

On Day 5, Asst. Prof. Mona Liza Maghanoy from the UP Diliman College of Human Kinetics Department of Sports Science tackled the role of movement and exercise in attaining a good state of mental health. Some short-term benefits that she cited from having a 21-minute minimum movement a day include improved quality of life, reduced anxiety and blood pressure, improved insulin sensitivity and sleep outcomes, and improved self-confidence and productivity. In the long run, she said that regular physical movement can improve cognition, prevent eight types of cancer, and reduce risks of dementia, among others.

“Exercise is medicine; [or] it’s something better than medicine because it prevents you from having to need medicine”, she concluded.

Francis Nicole G. Maga