By: Delaila Irma T. Calindas, Project Technical Staff II

The Commission on Higher Education – Cordillera Administrative Region (CHED-CAR), through its UniFAST Unit, hosted the third episode of the SEEDLING Project 2024 Series, focusing on suicide prevention, on September 30, 2024. The webinar, titled ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide – Start the Conversation,’ was conducted via Zoom and streamed live on Facebook, with 109 participants joining the event.

In observance of Suicide Prevention Month, the event highlighted the importance of mental health and preventing the loss of lives.

Ms. Mia Charisma B. Langpaoen, Project Technical Staff III of CHED-CAR’s UniFAST Unit, facilitated the program. Ms. Menzie O. Kuengan, Supervising Education Program Specialist of CHED-CAR, formally opened the session, welcoming participants and encouraging them to pay close attention to the topic, stressing its importance to everyone.

Following the opening remarks, Dr. Bernadette C. Pal-ec, Education Supervisor II and UniFAST Focal Person, introduced the resource speaker, Dr. Rufina Calub-Abul, Professor at Saint Louis University. Dr. Abul provided an insightful overview of suicide, including its risk and protective factors. She shared research findings, statistical data from the Cordillera Administrative Region, and outlined warning signs of suicide. She also discussed the LEARN model—an early prevention approach to suicide, which stands for Listen, Empathize, Ask, Referral, and Next Steps.

Dr. Abul emphasized the importance of courage in suicide prevention, reminding participants that “every effort counts, every conversation matters, and every life is worth living.”

The program proceeded with an open forum, where participants engaged with the speaker through questions. A certificate of appreciation was presented to Dr. Abul in recognition of her role as the resource speaker. In her closing remarks, Dr. Ma. Geraldine F. Casipit, Chief Education Program Specialist of CHED-CAR, formally concluded the event.

The SEEDLING Project, under the leadership of Director IV Dr. Demetrio P. Anduyan Jr., is designed to provide learning interventions and academic support to student-grantees under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA). The initiative continues to play a crucial role in addressing key issues faced by students, particularly in fostering mental health awareness.

Through efforts like the SEEDLING Project, CHED-CAR hopes to change the narrative around mental health and create a supportive environment where every student feels valued and heard.