Written by Leny Estacio | Photographed by Leny Estacio and Kristina Velasco
The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies mental health as an urgent concern which has to be addressed at multi-levels. In response, the Department of Health Cordillera Administrative Region [DOH-CAR] formed the Cordillera Regional Council for Mental Health [CRCMH], a working group composed of different government agencies and non-government agencies or sectors. Part of the sector represented is the academe where the University of Baguio serves as a junior member.
On October 10, 2025, the University of Baguio, through the representation of Ms. Leny Estacio, RGC, and Ms. Kristina Velasco of the Center for Counseling and Student Development (CCSD) office, participated in the launching of the CRCMH strategic plan for 2026-2028 at Hotel Tugos, Naguilian Rd., Baguio City.
The plan was an output of the collaborative efforts and joint initiatives between the different involved government agencies, such as the Department of Social Welfare & Development-CAR, Commission on Higher Education-CAR, Department of Labor and Employment-CAR; and sectors such as the Philippine Mental Health Association-CAR, Philippine Association of Psychology, NLC. The crafted strategic plan seeks to provide a well-thought-of implantation of inclusive and culturally-appropriate mental health programs for the whole Cordillera Region; thereby capturing SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being (3.8,3. d) and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals (17.F,17.H).
After Dr. Anachris M. Kilakil, MPM-HSD presented a briefer of the CRCMH strategic plan, where it was emphasized that the crafted strategies capture the vision of having a “mentally resilient and empowered Cordillera where everyone has access to inclusive, culturally responsive and equitable health services supported by a strong community and health system that nurtures well-being and dignity; the senior and junior members were invited to participate in the ceremonial Thumbprinting on the Mental Health Tree and the pinning of the Mental Health Ribbon. The gestures were to symbolize the pledge of support from the council members.
As a junior member of the council, the University of Baguio recognizes its proactive role in the communal effort to alleviate the mental health concerns of the Cordillera region. Hence, the university, through the Center for Counseling and Student Development office, will continue to take part in the shared responsibility, strengthen partnerships and carry out collaborations with the different sectors involved in the council to mobilize the implementation of the strategic plan.
