Key Takeaways From This Year’s YLxMH 2019: You, Me, Empathy
In the You, Me, Empathy (YME) event last February 17, 2019, esteemed speakers gathered to talk about the magnitude of mental health in society and the need for further action and recognition. Individuals from all over Manila gathered to listen and gain a deeper understanding of mental health in such a way that it introduces the said topic to people who are familiar and to those who are not. They were taught little things they could do to contribute in their own ways whether by showing empathy to those around them or by educating people with their acquired knowledge. Mental health is still a topic shied away from here in the Philippines, and people simply don’t get a full grasp on it, but luckily YME was here to save the day, and possibly even the future.
The participants of this event were very excited to learn how to understand people who are facing mental health problems. They were all ready to gain knowledge and to use oneness and togetherness as their sword and shield, defending those who are experiencing distress and educating those who know least.
General perceptions of mental health have been cemented through the event, serving as a binder between their current thoughts and future courses of action. With this comes a new breed of society that is understanding, tough, and all in all empathetic.
The event spotlights a very diverse set of speakers, from free-spoken Jasmine Curtis Smith to the engaging Dr. Ronald Del Castillo, all talking about mental health from their own expertise and experience. Evident topics that were found in the event were those that are in relation to issues the youth are especially experiencing nowadays such as knowing how to handle internal and external pressure, dealing with people of all personalities both big and small, accepting yourself for your weaknesses, and leading with kindness and sincerity.
All came home with enlightened minds and fuller hearts, enthusiastically relating their key takeaways to the way they interact with others, and learning to apply these lessons to themselves as well. After all, knowing how to deeply connect with others should start with understanding one’s self, and along with this comes the knowledge that being empathetic does not mean stooping down to weakness, rather it makes one a tougher leader for they know how to feel and understand to the fullest, touching on the very core of human and social interaction.
The impact of You, Me, Empathy on the participants has created ripples in a small group, and eventually, these ripples will get bigger and bigger, touching someone else’s life in more ways than one. With the success of YME, Youth Leadership x Mental Health is sure to organize more eye-opening events for us, the leaders of tomorrow, and we do hope everyone can participate and learn from the experience firsthand. ◆
Written by: Joanna Viñola
