Managing Mental Health The ‘MAD’ Way

The nonprofit organization and volunteer-powered I am M.A.D. (Making A Difference) has just successfully convened its biggest and grandest physical gathering in the history of its award-winning ‘MAD (Making A Difference) Talks’ event.

The convention dubbed as “MAD Talks presents: Sa Ngayon, Padayon. (Kwentuhan. Kantahan. Kabayanihan.)” and themed in collaboration with digital creator and witty shirts brand Linya-Linya put the spotlight on volunteerism and mental health.

Co-presented by the Rotary Club of Makati Uptown, Rotary District 3830, and H.E.L.P. Pilipinas, the gathering saw some 250 participants consisting of its volunteers and delegates from various organizations and networks, students, youth leaders, educators, and young professionals to mark the World Mental Health Day in October. The event highlighted the spirit of resilience and positivity that comes from purpose. ‘Padayon’ is a term used in several Visayan languages which means to move on, to carry on, to move forward, or to keep going.

“Your deepest hugot is your most effective advocacy,” said Maco Ravanzo, I am M.A.D.’s co-founder and chief executive volunteer during his “Kwento ng Bawat Boluntir talk.” He added that no matter what anyone is going through, in the spirit of optimism and resilience, there will always be a reason to bounce back and we can all make a difference.

Ravanzo likewise emphasized that managing mental health is very important in making sure that you live a life where you can achieve what you want without being held back. “We can do it, the M.A.D. way, by applying what we do as a volunteer group — Mind your mind, Acknowledge and accept, and Discover to recover,” he stressed in talking about “Managing Mental Health, the I am M.A.D. way.”

Volunteering and mental well-being

I am M.A.D co-founder and chairman Christian Marx Rivero brought the audience back to the organization’s humble beginnings as he wholeheartedly shared his volunteering story and the group’s journey through his “Kwento ng I am M.A.D.” segment titled “Molding Myself and Making a Movement.”

Regarded as “Your Ultimate Hugot Event,” the MAD Talks event consists of three parts called “Nagmahal,” “Nasaktan,” and “Nagvolunteer” or Kwentong N3. Participants were touched and inspired by the heartfelt firsthand experiences and stories of volunteer-guest speakers led by peace and development champion and counter-terrorism operator Capt. AJ Ramos Celestial of the Philippine Army who shared his “Kwentong Nagmahal,” about how he conquered anxiety while loving the country.

Meanwhile, women empowerment advocate and I am M.A.D.’s chief of volunteer operations & partnerships Ruth Butad spoke about “Kwentong Nasaktan,” which narrated her dealing with depression during detachment. The Kwentong N3 concluded with multi-awarded Global Youth Leader and ASEAN Youth Advocates Network founder Mirus Ponon recounting his “Kwentong Nagvolunteer” that examined his transitioning from a teen with low self-esteem to a multi-awarded young individual.

On the keynote talk about “Raising Mental Health Awareness through Storytelling,” the attendees were equally inspired and moved to tears as Happy Hearts Initiative & Introspect PH co-founder and mental health coach Ymari Kristia Pascua, whose story was featured on ABS-CBN’s Maalaala Mo Kaya program, shared her “Kwento ng Padayon” amidst mental health adversities to increase understanding on the matter.

The grandest community gathering ended with free mental health coaching and consultations led by volunteers from Mental Health PH and the National Youth Commission – Mental Health Youth Hub.