In UP Diliman, it’s a pretty rare feat for organizations to surpass 70 years. But the UP Psychology Society (UP PsychSoc) recently capped off this very milestone last April with their month-long celebration, Electric Dreams.
Each year, PsychSoc celebrates their anniversary by commemorating the People of PsychSoc’s home and history and giving back to the community. In their 70th year, the organization celebrated their grand comeback from the online setting with events for their members, more fondly known as POPS, and the general public.
Founded in 1953, the Society has been spearheading the now university-wide UP Mental Health Month, medical missions for partner communities, teaching programs, mental health care training, various symposia, and other socio-civic activities as their way of advancing psychology through fervent service. And so, with their namesake advocacy, UP PsychSoc’s 70th anniversary (ANNIV 70) put the spotlight on children’s mental health.
Teaming up with A Child’s D.R.E.A.M. Foundation, ANNIV 70 held a mental health caravan for the special education (SpEd) students, parents, and guardians of Batino Elementary School in Quezon City. Mental wellness and parental support talks were held to build the students’ emotional resilience, which the school noted was an important skill they found essential in these post-pandemic times. The children were asked to label big and difficult emotions, all while helping them build healthy coping strategies of their own. The parents also had a separate talk on creating emotionally safe spaces for their kids.
A children’s fair culminated ANNIV 70’s advocacy celebration last May 5. Pediatric therapy experts of A Child’s D.R.E.A.M. Foundation helped the Society in recreating the former’s Prescription for Play Therapy workshops for children with Autism and Intellectual Disability. The afternoon kicked off with an exercise program held by Neurofit Systems PH. Then, the kids had the opportunity to go around and explore the Sports, Music, Arts, Reading, and Theatre booths. It may have seemed like just fun and games; however, these types of activities are grounded on the principles of Play Therapy, which nurtured the kids’ special abilities and helped them develop their motor, cognitive, and emotional functioning.
To support ANNIV 70’s initiatives, donation lines were opened for others to support monetarily or in-kind, through school materials such as children’s books and art supplies. Currently, donation lines are still open for anyone to show support to the SpEd students of Batino Elementary School.
If you wish to extend a helping hand, you may check out UP PsychSoc ANNIV on Facebook for more details.
As the Society enters the first few weeks of its 70th year, members are now placing their focus on their upcoming Psych Career Fair. In its third year, the event invites high school and college students from all over the Philippines to explore the diverse careers and fields in Psychology through the eyes of various experts.
To learn more about UP PsychSoc, their upcoming events, advocacies, and how you can support them, check out their Facebook page.