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Student Resiliency and Wellness Initiative: UP College of Medicine
SUPPORT the Student Resiliency and Wellness Initiative
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES MANILA
14 July 2023
HENRY ECHIVERRI, MD
National President, UP Medical Alumni Society in America
Dear President Echiverri,
In medicine, students are prepared for both the Science and the Art of human healing. While the medical curriculum is designed to prepare the students to confidently assume the task as astute clinicians, it also has led to significant levels of mental pressure and stress resulting in several side effects in the students’ lifestyles. Previous reports have shown that the frequency of psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety and stress are considerably higher in the schools of medicine. On the other hand, psychological distress may lead to unintended failure in academic performance among students, contribute to alcohol and substance abuse and result in increased incidence in non-accidental injuries such as suicide.
In a census conducted by the UP Manila Office of Student Affairs, the number of UPCM students seeking psychiatric consultation has increased from 36 in 2018 -2019 to 168 in 2020-2022. This does not include students who seek private psychiatric services outside of UP. A 2020 survey conducted by the Committee on Student Wellness and Resiliency showed that among the students who participated, 36% experienced depression, 38% experienced anxiety and 33% suffered from severe stress.
The UP College of Medicine seeks to provide a nurturing environment that will promote and develop positive mental health in students and create a learning environment that will be conducive to maximum learning. It is with this rationale that the UPCM created a committee that aims to provide aholistic,integratedandresponsivewellnessprogramforthestudents. In 2018, the college constituted the Committee on Mental Health. Activities conducted included stress management and mindfulness-based compassion sessions, Tai-Chi, and expressive art therapy for selected year levels. The college also supported the program of the Medical Students Mental health week. In 2021, the committee was reconstituted and renamed the Committee on Student Resiliency and Wellness. It was created in order to coordinate and strengthen the mental health program of the college.
The objectives of the program are as follows:
1. To implement strategies for promotion of well-being and prevention of burnout among students
2. To facilitate referral and access to services for students with mental health problems
3. To strengthen information systems, evidence and research for mental health
Among the activities conducted from 2020 to 2022 were administration of Health Needs Assessment Survey to LU1-LU7, webinars on spiritual wellness, self-harm and stress management, and regular mentoring and monitoring meetings with students. Recently, a visit of the LU4 to the Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo was done to integrate the humanist perspective in the medical school experience and to expose the medical students and impress the concept of well-being through art and culture.
In current times, we believe that the mental health issue can no longer be ignored. We hope to seek the help of alumni in UPMASA to support the wellness and resiliency program of the college and to help our students optimize their learning experience as they journey towards becoming physicians and healers.
In the previous years, the committee supported the students in need during the pandemic by organizing activities that foster a sense of community and inclusivity. For the coming schoolyear AY 2023-2024, the Committee on Student Resiliency and Wellness has submitted their planned activities and a budget proposal amounting to Five Hundred Twenty-Two Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (P522,500.000 ) roughly equivalent to USD 9,500. Please see the attached budget proposal submitted by the Committee chair, Dr. Josefina Ly-Uson, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine.
We hope for your favorable response and look forward to the support of UPMASA for this important program that promotes the mental health and wellness of our students.
Thank you very much!
Truly yours,
CHARLOTTE M. CHIONG, MD, PHD
Professor and Chair
UPCM Student Resiliency and Wellness Program
Formed in August 2018, the UPCM Committee on Student Resiliency and Wellness (CSRW) has advocated for the past years to create and develop a holistic, integrated, responsive, and collaborative wellness program that aims to nurture the overall well-being, improve quality of life, and address biopsycho-socio-spiritual needs of UPCM students in a safe and healthy learning environment. Its specific objectives are as follows:
- To promote well-being, foster resiliency, and maintain optimal school-life balance of students throughout their medical school training
- To prevent burnout and other psychiatric sequelae among medical students throughout training
- To provide medical and psychosocial services to students with mental health concerns when needed
It has initiated several wellness activities which include unwinding museum trips to integrate a humanist perspective into the students’ medical school experience, an interclass fitness challenge, mindfulness and expressive therapy sessions, lectures on special topics on resilience and mental health, training on mental health first aid, and a college-wide wellness week celebration.
The committee also strives to provide support to its students by offering a range of services. These services include counselling services and offering mental health testing and assessment. A referral pathway system is also available for students who may require further mental health services. The committee offers partial subsidies for medications and mental health consultation to ensure that students receive the necessary care and support to manage their mental health effectively.
UPCM STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM
BUDGET PROPOSAL AY 2023-24
| A. Wellness Activities (Webinars, workshops, etc.) | Cost per activity (Php) | No. | Total |
| LU4 Pinto Art Museum Trip | 130,000.00 | 1 / AY | 130,000.00 |
| LU5 Field Trip | 130,000.00 | 1 / AY | 130,000.00 |
| Wellness Week | 120,000.00 | 1 / AY | 120,000.00 |
| Fitness Challenge | 65,000 | 1 /AY | 65,000.00 |
| Expressive Movement
Therapy for LU3 |
25,000 | 1 / AY | 25,000.00 |
| Resource persons or facilitators for wellness activities (mindfulness, Tai chi, etc.) for LU3 & LU4 | 6,000.00 | 1 speaker x 4 sessions | 24,000.00
|
| Film Showing for LU3
|
7,700.00 | 1 / AY | 7,700.00 |
| Subtotal | P501,700.00 | ||
| B. Mental Health (MH) Interventions | Cost per student per month (Php) | No. of months | |
| MH consultation (partial subsidy) | 500.00/consults x 10 months | Php 5000 x x 10 students | 50,000.00 |
| Medications (partial subsidy) | 1000.00 /month x 10 months | P10,000 x 10 students | 100,000.00 |
| Subtotal | P150,000.00 | ||
| *Funding for MH interventions may be requested from another source (not included in total below) | |||
| C. Administrative Matters and
Office Logistics |
Cost per month | No. of months | |
| Communications (Internet) | 350.00 | 12 months | 4,200.00 |
| Planning Meeting of Wellness Champions for AY 2023-24 | 6,400.00 | 1 planning meeting for the AY | 6,400.00 |
| Regular Committee Meetings | 3,400/meeting | 3 regular committee meetings for the AY | 10,200.00 |
| Subtotal | P20,800.00 | ||
| GRAND TOTAL | P522,500.00 | ||
Updated 12 May 2023 2:00pm
Prepared by:
SHARMAINE P. TORREJOS
Project Assistant
VICTORIA PATRICIA C. DE LA LLANA, MD CHRISTOPHER S. CONSTANTINO, MD
Fund Administrator Fund Administrator
Noted by:
JOSEFINA T. LY-USON, MD
Chair
Committee on Student Resiliency and Wellness
