MS Mental Health Week 2024: Together We Thrive, Creating a Safe Space for You and Me

On October 9-25, 2024, the MS Guidance Department launched the Mental Health Week that aimed to promote mental well-being and self-care through various activities prepared for students. The activities include: Mindset Reset, Mindscape Gallery, Tune in Sesh, Encouragement Store, Artful Minds, Thrive Zone, and Interactive Bulletin.

The Mindscape Gallery was open to all who wanted to share their interpretation of mental health through various mediums such as poetry, digital and traditional arts, and more. Submitted works were displayed on the Canteen Bulletin Board. An interactive space was also placed on the bulletin board on October 10-25, where students can have fun interacting by sharing various coping skills, mood tracker art, and quotes.

The following activity was the Tune In Sesh, a musical jamming session that was conducted in the canteen area during lunchtime on October 11 and 16.

Afterwards, an Encouragement Store was introduced to the students. This particular activity of the Mental Health Week was conducted only to the selected dates (October 10, 15, and 22) that was decided by the Guidance Office, open during recess and lunchtime of the school schedule. The aim of this activity was to not only empower the mental health of the students, but to also support the Laudato Si initiative of the Outreach Program Office. In regard to the rule of the store, the student body were required to surrender clean PET bottles to the store in exchange for a piece of paper with words of encouragement, which will be used as 'currency' to buy snacks and candies from the Encouragement Store.

Lastly, the guidance office collaborated with the different libraries of Manresa school to conduct the Artful Minds and Thrive Zone, where various artistic materials and literature on mental health, self-help, and psychology were displayed. These were in line with the mission of promoting students' well-being and self-care.

"Mental Health Week was such a blast! The various activities, such as the interactive bulletin boards, were engaging and helped promote safe atmospheres and healthy habits. I am so glad the guidance department continues to encourage the educative community to care for our mental health." - Jessica Sulit, Peer Facilitator and Grade 12 Student

“Personally, donating for the Encouragement Store near the canteen was an inspiring experience. Seeing students eagerly donate plastic bottles in exchange for sharing kind words reminded me of how small actions can make a positive impact. The atmosphere was lively and filled with encouragement, and it felt great to be part of something that promoted both environmental care and kindness within our school community.” - Trina Estaris, Grade 12 Student

Mental Health Week is a yearly celebration in Manresa School that is organized by the Guidance Department; it aims to emphasize the importance of taking care of mental health to every student, faculty member, or in general, to every individual. Aiming the goals of this celebration, activities alone would not make it viable to reach, but counting also the participation of every student, it assists in making it possible—a safe space for you and me.