In a world that can sometimes feel a bit too heavy, a simple chat can completely change a day. Last, September 18, 2025, the Social Hall at KDCI turned into a cozy hub of warmth and light for a special half-day event all about suicide prevention and mental health awareness. Guided by the theme "Hope Starts with a Conversation: Building Connections That Keep Us Going," the gathering reminded everyone that no one has to walk their hardest days alone.

 

The wonderful guest speaker, Ms. Babylyn L. Altizo, RPm, shared a brilliant and easy to remember guide called 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄—𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭, 𝐀𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐫, 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞. She gently taught students what to do and say when someone is struggling, especially during those heavy moments when minds feel completely blank and overwhelmed by stress. Her words gently reminded everyone that healing does not require complex answers, but rather a willing heart and a ready ear to listen, reach out, and connect.

 

Laughter and learning blended seamlessly as students jumped into lively role-playing sessions to practice these life-saving steps together. The room truly came alive when everyone picked up colorful papers and yarns, turning personal drawings and symbols of hope into a web of shared connections. By the end of the day, this vibrant gathering left every student walking out a little brighter, carrying the comforting truth that 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒚 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒘𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒕𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓.

 

| Juliene Kim Manlapao

| Leah Agumansal & Yari Escabarte

 

KDCEye | HALL MARK OF INSIGHTFUL PERSPECTIVE