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Love Languages: Celebrating Mental Health Week at the BPS General Assembly

Written by Maria Yssabel L. Magsino  Researched by Sophia Anillo | October 22, 2024

WORLD Mental Health Day is on Oct. 10, and to celebrate, the Bedan Psychological Society (BPS) held its General Assembly on Oct. 9, 2024. The theme of the event was “Love Languages,” and it aimed to bring awareness to mental health struggles and to celebrate the Psychology department’s achievements this year.

     In his opening remarks, BPS President Eric Hicban (III-BAP) celebrated and congratulated the psychology students for their double championship during Integration Week, which has become this semester’s highlight. He continued that through the terrifying journey of midterms, his advice was for everyone to love what they do in this week of love languages. “This week of love languages is one that is going to broaden our horizons and bring all of us closer together, which is any officer's dream,” Hicban said.  

     “The reason why we are celebrating mental health [is because] tomorrow will be the World Mental Health Day, eksatong eksakto,” Prof. Michelle Macahilig, the Department Chair of Psychology and BPS Moderator, said in her speech. The Psychology Department celebrated Mental Health Week by awarding alumni who recently passed the psychometricians board exams. She hoped that through events like these, students would listen to the invited speakers' inspiring stories and that this mental health week would prepare everyone for their future as practitioners. 

     To further spread positivity this Mental Health Week, students were invited to play a game called “Pass the Compliment.” At the start of the game, ushers passed small pieces of paper and had participants write positive words of motivation and compliments while music played. When the music stopped, the pieces of paper were distributed, ending with everyone giving and receiving compliments. is to spread uplifting words to someone who may need it. "You are loved, you are seen, and you are valid."

     Then, Arisa Cascalla (III-BSP), Internal Vice President, and Reign Rafiñan (II-BSP), Second-year level representative, addressed organizational challenges such as organizational funds, merchandise, monthly projects, and officer transparency and accountability. They continued introducing upcoming plans such as the second edition of Mental Health Week, Sto. Niño week, Psych week, Psychology night, and Intramurals. 

     For the closing remarks, Cascalla gave a hopeful speech to everyone on how their college experience will be something they will cherish forever. “Our college journey, or our life in general, may be uncertain, but uncertainty makes life more interesting, exciting, and meaningful, ” she said. 

     “Since we started off the school year with a bang with Integration, we only hope to go higher from there with more events, some that have never been seen before in the Bedan Psychological Society,” Hicban shared in an interview with THE BEDAN HERALD. He hopes the organization will broaden its horizons in the future. 

     For future events, he stated that BPS plans to have its own Psych Night as a promenade for Psychology students, similar to a high school prom night but at a larger scale now in College. Another event Hicban is excited about is Mr. and Ms. Psych to celebrate everyone’s talents. He hopes these events help psychology students from different batches bond and form new memories together.