𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐒 | 𝐓𝐀𝐔-𝐂𝐀𝐒 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲, 𝐢𝐧𝐭’𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐒 | 𝐓𝐀𝐔-𝐂𝐀𝐒 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲, 𝐢𝐧𝐭’𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

The Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU), through the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), strengthened its commitment to mental health advocacy, professional development, research engagement, and international collaboration through the International Conference on Mental Health and Community Well-Being: Bridging Gaps Through Collaborative and Sustainable Solutions, held 26–28 August at La Carmela de Boracay Resort Hotel, Boracay Island, Philippines.

Representing TAU were Dr. Benny S. Soliman, Dr. Sherwin S. Alar, Dr. Maria Elena T. Caguioa, Dr. Maribel C. Ramales, Dr. Marlon B. Espedillon, Ms. Rosario Hersey B. Rodriguez, and Mr. Rafael Gener G. Macaspac, who served as facilitators and evaluators of scholarly presentations during the conference.

The three-day international gathering brought together researchers, educators, professionals, practitioners, and other stakeholders to exchange research-based knowledge, experiences, and strategies addressing concerns related to mental health and community well-being. Resource persons from the Philippines, United States, and Indonesia shared perspectives and best practices on mental health programs, suicide narratives and prevention, peer and community engagement, community well-being, and sustainable approaches to mental health promotion

Emphasizing the importance of a collective approach to mental health, Dr. Alar, CAS Dean, said, “Mental health cannot be solved by psychology alone. It cannot be solved by education alone. It cannot be solved by medicine alone. It cannot be solved by government alone.”

“It requires researchers, practitioners, educators, administrators, families, students, communities, and policymakers to work together,” he added.

A significant milestone for TAU and CAS, the conference also served as the first Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program organized by the University through CAS, expanding TAU’s role in providing relevant lifelong learning and professional development opportunities. Participants who completed all conference requirements and complied with the policies of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and accredited CPD providers were eligible to claim the corresponding CPD units: 22 units for Registered Guidance Counselors (RGCs), 16 units for Registered Psychometricians (RPms), 21.50 units for Registered Social Workers (RSWs), 16 units for Registered Psychologists (RPsys), and 23.50 units for Registered Nurses (RNs).

Beyond professional development, the conference provided TAU faculty members opportunities to engage with scholars and practitioners from various institutions and countries, exchange research perspectives, establish professional linkages, and explore potential areas for collaboration. Their roles as facilitators and evaluators also highlighted the expertise of TAU faculty members and contributed to the University’s visibility in research, knowledge exchange, professional development, and international academic collaboration.

The initiative reflected TAU’s continuing pursuit of its Smart TAU, Green and Global direction by creating avenues where research and professional expertise could contribute to addressing real-world societal concerns. It also reinforced the University’s commitment to building partnerships and promoting responsive, inclusive, and sustainable solutions for healthier and more resilient communities.

Through initiatives such as the international conference, TAU-CAS continued to broaden the University’s academic and professional reach while strengthening its contributions to research, internationalization, community engagement, and sustainable development.

#SmartTAU #GreenandGlobal #MentalHealth #CommunityWellBeing #ResearchAndDevelopment #InternationalConference #InternationalCollaboration #FacultyEngagement #SDG3 #SDG4 #SDG11 #SDG17

Text | Carmina Sahagun-Melchor [Information Unit]

Photos | College of Arts and Colleges

Graphics | Carol Jane B. Caragay [Information Unit]