Vlad Bunoan

‘Better Days’ caravan begins campaign to create safe spaces for young Filipinos

Article (news)

Eon Sanchez

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783049013392viber_image_2026-07-03_10-49-02-009.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>ABS-CBN News</div>QUEZON CITY — Hundreds of students and young people from schools and universities across Metro Manila gathered Friday for the launch of “Better Days: A Youth Mental Health Caravan,” a community-based initiative aimed at promoting mental health awareness, education, and support among Filipino youth.The caravan, held at the SM North EDSA Sky Dome, is the first leg of a nationwide series led by SM Cares in partnership with Mental Health Youth Hub PH, I AM MAD (Making A Difference), the National Youth Commission, and Global Peace Foundation Philippines.Participants took part in wellness activities, including a zumba session, before joining discussions on mental health, resilience, and seeking help.Richard Caluyo, senior assistant vice president of SM Cares, said the initiative aims to provide young people with a safe and supportive environment.“We create spaces for them to be heard, for them to be who they are,” Caluyo said.He added that the coalition plans to bring the mental health caravan to more SM malls across the country, including Cavite and Bulacan, to reach more young people.“We’re looking at really doing a caravan of this mental health program in all our malls and we hope that from the output of this program, we will be able to hear kung ano pa ‘yung mga bagay that we can help address and we can support that youth,” he said.Maco Ravanzo, co-founder of youth-led non-profit organization I AM MAD (Making A Difference), said the group’s mission is to build communities where young people can find hope and support.“Ang vision niya is actually to create community to really give hope to the youth, that they have a safe space where they can heal, they can learn, they can grown,” Ravanzo said.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783048982833viber_image_2026-07-03_10-49-03-690.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>ABS-CBN News</div>He noted that mental health concerns among young people became more pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic.“Since the pandemic, mental health has already been a common issue. Doon mas lalong lumitaw yung mental health problems ng ating mga kabataan… It’s a volunteer organization which aims to really promote the youth to make a difference in their own simple yet meaningful ways,” he added.Television host Kim Atienza, one of the event’s guest speakers, also shared how his faith helped him cope with the death of his daughter, Emman Atienza.“For me, my mental health is sound. I’m very resilient to a lot of stress because I have purpose and the purpose comes from my faith. I pray all the time,” Atienza said.He also spoke about the role of faith in helping him move forward after his loss.“If I did not have faith, I would like to follow Emman. If I did not have faith, I’d be a mess. But because of this faith, I have hope that I&#x27;ll see my Emman again,&quot; Atienza said.The organizers said the caravan seeks to encourage more conversations on mental health while connecting young people with organizations and communities that can provide support.

“Better Days: A Youth Mental Health Caravan” is a community-based initiative aimed at promoting mental health awareness, education, and support among Filipino youth.

“Better Days: A Youth Mental Health Caravan” is a community-based initiative aimed at promoting mental health awareness, education, and support among Filipino youth.