UPV GDP hosts forum on strengthening family connections for mental well-being

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To culminate the celebration of Women’s Month, the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) Gender and Development Program (GDP), in partnership with the Ugsad Regional Gender Resource Network, organized a forum on “Strengthening Family Connections for Mental Well-Being” on March 21, 2024.

The event was held at the UPV Little Theater, Iloilo City campus.

Dr. Ma. Cristina VC Woo, Chief Medical Professional Staff and Chairperson of the Technical Working Group of the GAD Focal Point System of Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC), delivered the welcome remarks during the event.

In her message, Dr. Woo explained the significance of celebrating Women’s Month and emphasized the need for women to take care of their mental health because they perform various roles in our society.

The first resource speaker was Dr. Daisy C. Daquilanea, Medical Specialist IV of the Department of Psychiatry of WVMC. In her lecture, she highlighted the importance of the family as the primary support system for one’s mental health. She also tackled the different roles of family support, impact of communication patterns within families, family stressors and conflict, and parental influence on children.

Dr. Daquilanea also discussed the significance of having a secure attachment in early childhood, a nurturing family, the protective factors within families that promote resilience, as well as family activities that can promote mental well-being.

It was followed by another lecture with Dr. Bernice Vania L. Mamauag, Associate Professor of Psychology of the Division of Social Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences of UPV. Dr. Mamauag discussed the various frameworks on parenting, parental stress, and family relations. She also tackled postpartum depression, its associated outcomes on children, and highlighted the need to provide support for mothers to ensure their well-being.

Towards the end of her presentation, Dr. Mamauag also discussed the various interventions in dealing with postpartum depression.

Two hundred sixty-five UPV constituents, Balay Balay Child Minding Center (BBCMC) parents and guardians, and representatives coming from various government agencies, academic institutions, local government units, and non-government organizations participated in the event.

The said forum is one of the activities of GDP that aims to raise awareness about women’s health issues and concerns. It also seeks to safeguard women’s well-being by empowering them with knowledge about possible interventions and preventive measures. (Ms. Dana Lee Durana, UPV GDP)