Ms. Faith Q. Colarte, Licensed Guidance Counselor and Director of the Student Welfare and Services Office at the City College of Cagayan de Oro (CCCDO), served as Resource Speaker during the Suicide Prevention Month Celebration hosted by Initao College through its Guidance Center on September 19, 2025. With the theme โBe the Voice of Hope: Equipping Student Leaders for Suicide Prevention,โ the webinar gathered over fifty (50) student leaders via Google Meet.
In her talk, Ms. Colarte highlighted the vital role of student leaders in promoting mental health within their campuses. She emphasized the importance of recognizing warning signs of self-harm and being equipped with practical skills to respond appropriately. She also debunked common myths about suicide, including the misconception that talking about it encourages the act. Instead, she explained that open conversations reduce stigma and create safe spaces for those struggling to speak up.
Ms. Colarte further encouraged student leaders to practice empathy, avoid judgment, listen actively, and be mindful of language that may invalidate othersโ feelings. One peer facilitator shared that the session helped their group plan activities to support student well-being and recognize the need for further training, such as Psychological First Aid.
Before closing, Ms. Colarte expressed gratitude to Ms. Ashley Grace L. Fontejon, Guidance Center Head of Initao College, for the invitation to take part in the event. She affirmed that such collaborations among higher education institutions in Northern Mindanao highlight the collective effort to address pressing mental health concerns affecting todayโs youth.
This initiative is strongly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).