“Turning over a new leaf: Becoming Bolder and Better.

”
Hi everyone, good afternoon. So I hope you are all doing well, musta man mo? I hope
na wala moy gipangdala na kasakit ug kung naa man, your pain is valid and I hope and
pray na ma okay ra ka. And before I begin my speech I would like to say, thank you
CSWD - Psychosocial Division for giving me the opportunity to share an inspirational
story and to be heard. I feel very honoured to be able to stand here in front of you all.
So, as mentioned, I was asked to share how I cope with my mental health crisis.
The sharing will begin by introducing you to who I was and what kind of person I was
before.
So this is me, 3 years ago. –Bothered, pressured, anxious, stressed, preoccupied with
negative thoughts and unhealthy. Yeah, this is me 3 years ago.
And nganong giaabot ko ani?
So back then, I was the kind of person nga kung mahimo, dili gyud nako i-share ang
ako’ng mga problema. Bahala’g gi-kapoy na ko tungod sa ako’ng pag-eskwela, na
stress na tungod sa schoolwork, or naa’y problema gawas sa skwelahan, dili gyud nako
na i-share. In my perspective, it all happened tungod kay throughout my life as a
student; people always see me as a strong and independent person. They always say, 
“Ikaw magka-problema? Kaya ra na nimo oy.”
“Dali ra na sa imuha oy, ikaw pa.”
“Si Marjun mag lisod? Sible!” 
and the like. Basically, people really thought nga kanunay nako kaya atubangon ug
sulbaron ang ako’ng mga problema nga dili mangayo og tabang.
That is why na-anad ko nga kung mahimo, dili nalang nako i-share ang ako’ng mga
problema, ug kung kaya, mag-hilom nalang ko ug i-tago ko nalang ang ako’ng mga
problema, even though gaka-bother na ko. At first, kaya pa nako, pero pagka-dugayan,
bug-at na siya. Unfortunately, ni-abot sa punto nga bisan gamay ra ang problema, nag-
lisod na ko’g sulbad. And there's a one-time nga nagka-problema ko sa acads. So, from
being a 2nd Honor, ni naog ang ako’ng rank sa 6 place, ug na-disappoint gyud ko sa
th

ako’ng kaugalingon. Dugang pa, pirmi sad ko gaka-balaka kung unsay i-ingon sa
uban’g tao, hilabin na ang ako’ng mga teachers since sila ang taas kaayo’g
expectations sa ako-a. Sadly, I heard two of my subject teachers having a conversation
about me, and the words were,
“Na unsa na daw ko.”
“Nag-pabaya na daw ko.”
and other negative comments, pero dili nalang nako i-ingon.
To continue, the stress and pressure nga ako’ng gi-bati kay dili gyud gikan sa ako’ng
ginikanan o pamilya, they came from the individuals nga dili nako ig-unsa. And my
experiences and struggles did not end there; pag-tungtong nako’g Senior High, same
set-up and same behavior, up until I entered college. Ug tinood gayod ang “You get
what you expect and what you tolerate.” Mas ni-samot ang ako’ng mga unhealthy
habit; mu-adto ko sa skwelahan nga wala na-mahaw, na-pasmo na kay late na naka
pani-udto, unya siomai ra pa gyud ang tirada, late na ma-tulog, stressed tungod acads,
every night pa gyud ko mag-overthink kung unsa’y mahitabo pagka-ugma, kung maka-
tubag ba ko sa upcoming oral recitation or dili. Kumbaga, usual nga thoughts sa mga
estudyante. Woefully, ni-lala ang tanan during COVID-19 Pandemic. I always feel
exhausted. It seems like wala’y sense ang tanan. I also feel empty as well as anxious
kay basin og na dapu-an na ko’g sakit, pero wala pa lang ko na-kabalo.
And among all the unpleasant experiences or struggles of mine, I’ll say nga ang pinaka-
worst gyud nako nga experience kay during sa amo’ng klase sa usa ka minor subject.
Every Monday, 7:00 a.m., mag-sukaha gyud ko sa first 20 minutes sa discussion.
Although online class siya, gaka-hadlok ug gaka-anxious gyud ko, kay basin dili ko ka-
tubag kung tawagon ko ug ma-ulawan na hinoon ko sa ako’ng mga classmates. Now, I
would like to admit the fact that the previous years were really tough and challenging for
me. Maka-hunona gyud ko kung okay pa ba ko ug normal pa ba ni tanan.
Until one night, while thinking about my future, especially about being a future mental
health advocate, I realized nga dapat bag-ohon nako ang ako’ng mga unhealthy habit
ug tabangan nako ang ako’ng kaugalingon para ma-abot nako ang ako’ng mga
pangandoy. Kay dili nako sila manga kab-ot kung magpa-bilin ko’ng ingon ani, kung na
puno ko sa negative thoughts. I need to become a better version of myself and I need to
do something about my mental health before mu-lala ug mudako ang problema. And
how can I help others if I, myself, dili kabalo unsay angay buhatun. That is when I
started my journey to become the best and healthiest version of myself. So what did I
do? 
First, I asked for help from my friends. I may appear mentally and emotionally strong,
but sometimes the strongest need someone to lean on. The reason why I am afraid of
asking for help from my friends kay basin og i-judge ko nila. But I was wrong, it turned
out that I have an amazing group of people. They are always willing to listen to my
problems and even rants, maskin kabalo na ko nga gi-kapoy na sila’g paminaw, ila
gihapon’g gina pa-kita ug gina pa-feel sa ako nga naa sila, willing ma-minaw ug andam
mu-tabang sa ako. Spending time and having meaningful conversations with your
friends helps in releasing Oxytocin, a Love Hormone.
Second, I no longer push myself kung gi-kapoy na ko. To specify, I set time in every
school activity and task. Like, mag-pahulay ko for 30 minutes ayha ko mag-padayon sa
ako’ng trabaho. I also entertain myself by watching anime series and playing online
games, para at least ma-entertain temporarily ang ako’ng hunona. But not to the extent
in which gi-kalimtan na nako akong mga responsibility sa school ug sa balay.
Third, I listen to podcasts that talk about “self-care”, “self-improvement”, “knowing your
worth”, and the like. If you have time, you can search and listen to Alec Cuenca’s
podcast. You will really learn a lot from him. I also attend webinars related to these
topics. Moreover, it is advisable if you get knowledge and information from the experts.
Fourth, nang-unfried ko. Yes, you heard correctly, "nang-unfriend ko," I cut ties. I
unfriended online friends who I believe are toxic. Kana’ng kada open nimo sa imung
socmed kay ila’ng pagka-toxic imo’ng una ma-basa. Especially katong tao na hilig mang
mata ug mang discourage. I no longer allow others' toxic behavior to disrupt my inner
peace. After all, one of the most selfless things you can do is prioritize your mental
health.
Fifth, I surround myself with positive people. People na I’m sure ma-daganan or ma-
duolan nako kung naa ko’y problema. Kato’ng friends nga mag-pabilin gyud through ups
and downs. 
Sixth, I gave up my bad habits. I am finally getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, and
eating three meals a day, sometimes sobra pa. I also work out and read books. In
addition, I always communicate with Him and ask for His guidance through praying.
Lastly, I stop worrying about how others will perceive me. My quest to improve myself
led me to the decision to stop worrying about things over which I have no control.
Instead, I spend more time on self-improvement.
So kaning mga ways nga akong mga gipang mention, gina share pud ni nako sa akong
mga friends. Gina sigurado pud nako nga naa pirme akong atensyon ug oras everytime
naay gusto makig istorya, mag share sa ilang mga problems. Kay I know sometimes
people just need someone to listen. No words, no advice.
I understand that everyone is fighting their own battle . And I want you to understand and
keep in mind that difficulties are important parts of life because they teach us, motivate us to get
better, and help us become stronger, wiser, and better individuals. And even us, psychology
students, mental health professionals are not exempted on this problem.
And right now, this is me… although stress japun sa acads and other commitments,
pero compare 3 years ago, I’m in a happier and healthier place na.
And before I leave this floor, let me say this as a Psychology Major and as a friend: Do
not be afraid to acknowledge how you feel; your feelings are all valid, and you should
not be ashamed or guilty about them. You are loved, special, and wonderful. You have
us, your family, friends, and allies on your side to help you fight this problem. Thank you
very much, and once again good afternoon.
Slides:
1. Title
2. Old Pics
3. Old Pics
4. “You get what you expect and what you tolerate.”
5. Journey of Becoming Bolder and Better
6. “Asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it is a strength.”
7. Pictures of friends
8.  "Don't be too hard on yourself"
9. Listening to podcasts and attending webinars
10. Cutting Ties
11. Surrounding yourself with positivity
12. Quitting unhealthy habits
13. Stop Worrying About Things You Can't Control

14. “Be of help to someone.”

15. Current picture
16. Do not be afraid to acknowledge how you feel; your feelings are all valid, and
you should not be ashamed or guilty about them. You are loved, special, and
wonderful.