In celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Brokenshire College Counseling and Psychological Wellness Center (CPWC), in collaboration with the NSTP, organized a meaningful seminar titled “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies” — A Mental Health Awareness Seminar” on October 24, 2025 at the Robert Black Amphitheatre.
The event gathered college and senior high school students to deepen their understanding of psychosocial support and mental health care, especially during times of crisis. It aimed to inspire compassion, empathy, and resilience in facing the emotional challenges brought about by disasters and adversity.
The seminar featured Ms. Julie Cristy C. Balunos, RN, RGC, CBT, who shared her expertise on psychosocial support and emotional well-being. Drawing from both professional insights and personal experiences, Ms. Balunos highlighted the importance of expressing emotions, assisting others, building meaningful connections, and coping with intense feelings. She also opened up about her own struggles with mental health, offering an inspiring message of hope and perseverance.
During her talk, Ms. Balunos emphasized that emotional resilience is not about suppressing emotions but about acknowledging and understanding them.
“Emotional resilience does not mean you’re not allowed to show emotions anymore,” she reminded the audience. “We are human beings; we are entitled to be respected, listened to, and valued.”
The discussion also explored the concept of psychosocial support—the kind of care that helps individuals and communities cope with emotional and social challenges, particularly those caused by natural disasters and other traumatic events. Ms. Balunos encouraged everyone to practice presence and empathy through simple yet powerful gestures, such as sincerely asking, “How are you?” or saying, “I’m listening.”
The event concluded with a unifying message: “Be a support system, not a stressor.” This phrase captured the heart of the seminar—an invitation to foster kindness, compassion, and connection within the Brokenshire community.
As Ms. Balunos’ words echoed throughout the Amphitheatre, participants were reminded that emotional strength grows not from isolation, but from empathy and shared humanity. Together, the students and facilitators reaffirmed their commitment to building a culture of care and understanding.
Let us continue to uplift one another, listen with care, and be a source of strength in times of need.
Together, we grow stronger when kindness leads the way. 💚
#NSTP 1 #BrokenshireCollege #CPWC #MentalHealthAwareness #BeASupportSystemNotAStressor
