STUDENTS were urged not to bottle up their feelings during a discussion on mental health by the guidance counselor of the School Governance and Operations Divisions of Kidapawan City.

“Just be honest with how you feel. If you want to cry, then cry. If you want to laugh, then laugh. Huwag nating i-contain ‘yong sarili natin sa word na ‘dapat okay ako lagi,’ kasi that is a very hypothetical feeling,” Blessie Joy Balatico told students.

In her talk at the Negros Oriental State University, Balatico shared that students who need help but are unsure of how to get it may find it even more difficult to reach out and access care.

She stressed that mental health therapies are just as vital as physical health treatments, and that denial of one’s true feelings can trigger emotional outbursts.

“At very time na you really feel not okay and frequent na talaga siya, I’m really hoping na you go to the right person,” she told students.

Having a strong support system, getting the right treatment, getting enough rest and sleep, having healthy connections with others, self-transcendence, self-care, humor, and empathy are important for good mental health.