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

In celebration of the UniFAST Founding Anniversary and the National Mental Health Week, the Commission on Higher Education–Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education Cordillera Administrative Region (CHED-UniFAST CAR) successfully conducted the third installment of this year’s SEEDLING Project on October 15, 2025.

The SEEDLING Project—short for Skills Enhancement, Engagement, and Development: A Learning Intervention to Nurture Grantees—is CHED-UniFAST CAR’s signature initiative that offers free learning and development opportunities to student-grantees under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA).

This session, titled “Caring in Crisis: Mental Health for All in Times of Emergency,” highlighted the region’s continued commitment to nurturing the holistic well-being of its student-grantees. The timely discussion attracted 299 participants via Zoom and Facebook Live.

The program opened with welcome remarks from Dr. Jimmy G. Catanes, Regional Director of CHED-CAR, delivered on his behalf by Dr. Ma. Geraldine F. Casipit, Chief Education Program Specialist. Dr. Godfrey G. Mendoza, Education Supervisor II, then presented the statement of purpose and introduced the day’s resource person.

The session featured Dr. Aljane Mae F. Manalo, Medical Officer III from the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, as the resource person. She defined crisis as any event that threatens one’s sense of stability and safety—whether external (like disasters) or internal (like personal loss)—and empowered attendees with practical tools.

Dr. Manalo presented actionable mental health techniques, including various grounding and mindfulness exercises, and introduced the key principle of the 3 C’s of Crisis Compassion: Connect, Care, and Commit.

This mental health-focused episode marked a milestone as the 23rd SEEDLING session since the project’s launch in 2022. Over the past three years, the SEEDLING Project has reached more than 3,500 student-grantees, empowering them through knowledge and skills essential for both academic success and personal growth.

The session concluded with Dr. Bernadette C. Pal-ec, Education Supervisor II and UniFAST Focal Person, who delivered the closing remarks, expressing gratitude to all participants and reaffirming UniFAST-CAR’s dedication to holistic student development.