22/10/2025
NEWS | BulSU students unite in call for stronger and more inclusive mental health support
by John Marcel Cruz & Raine Clarence Robles
Discussions about stronger and more inclusive mental health support took center stage during the โMind the Gap: A Sectoral Roundtable Discussion for Mental Health Policy,โ held on October 20 at the E-Library Cafeteria.
Organized by the Mental Health Coalition (MHC) and the Guidance and Counseling Services Center (GCSC) headed by Mrs. Estrella L. Ranas, the event gathered student representatives from various sectors to share insights and propose policy measures addressing the universityโs mental health concerns.
Opening the discussion, working student representative Vincent Soriano emphasized the challenges of balancing work and academics, which often lead to stress and declining performance. He called for clear medical certificate guidelines validation, flexible academic schedules, budget allocation for working students, and access to training and seminars tailored to their unique challenges.
Meanwhile, Person with Disability (PWD) representative Gian Cinco raised concerns about accessibility, citing difficulties in transportation, encountering locked PWD comfort rooms, and accessing higher floors. He urged the university to improve accessibility measures, enhance faculty awareness, and provide specialized mental health guidance for students with disabilities.
In addition, Clarence Tuazon Ilingan of Ex Corde, representative of the religious sector, discussed cases of discrimination and misunderstanding, emphasizing the need for compassion and open dialogue among faith groups. He further addressed the challenges faced by the Le***an, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Q***r, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) community, that some beliefs continue to limit acceptance of gender-diverse identities. Together with Bulacan State University (BulSU) Bahaghari, he advocated for interfaith counseling, inclusive programs and efforts to bridge communities through understanding and respect regardless of belief and gender identity.
Moreover, Miel Salamat, Bachelor of Science in Psychology representative, discussed academic stress, stigma, and financial issues in student organizations. SAYK Association of Peer Facilitators and Advocates of Mental Health (A-PFAM) proposed closer coordination with the Student Government (SG) to improve budgeting, manage workloads, establish an institutionalized activity calendar, and enhance cooperation with offices like the MHC.
Representatives from campus and student publications, socio-cultural performers including BulSU Hyperdynamics, BulSU KASAMA, and BulSU Bahaghari likewise pushed for stronger and more inclusive mental health initiatives, calling for safe spaces, better awareness programs, and policies that recognize the diverse needs of students.
With a unified call for empathy, inclusion, and stronger institutional action toward mental health, the discussions came to a close. The MHC and the GCSC vowed to translate these insights into concrete policies, reaffirming their commitment to a university that safeguards every BulSUanโs well-being.