11/12/2025
Hello ACSIANS! Welcome back to Mindset Matters.
At Antipolo City Senior High School, we believe that mental health is not just an individual concern but a shared responsibility. Through empathy, awareness, and genuine connection, we strengthen our community. This interview highlights the
commitment of our School Principal, Maβam Liza Banayo, who continuously supports both learners and employees by building safe spaces, encouraging peer support, and fostering a culture of care. Mindset matters and together, we make healing possible.
[Question 1] How can you help school employees and learners cope with their mental health issues and become more productive workers of Antipolo City Senior High School?
Ma'am Liza Banayo:
Since we are celebrating noh Mental Health Day... actually kasama rin dito ung...Su***de Prevention Month
Dito sa eskwelahan natin, we are really encouraging...noh, to improve our mental health by conducting different activities. So unang una, we are coordinating always together with the office of the registered guidance counselor and I appreciate the help of our
AKAP members kasi kayo talaga yung nakakatawang ng ating guidance counselor sa...mga learners natin
Kasi doon talaga un eh dahil kayo ang ina-identify ng mga learners na...they are more comfortable... talking with their peers instead of...with their teachers siguro dahil nahihiya sila so...with your blessings, mas makakatulong sa ating mga learners
And para naman sa part ko as a school head and para naman sa part naman ng mga employees...so nandun yung suport natin especially kapag may na-identify tayo na "Ma'am may need ako sa ganito"...so nandun yung assistance natin..na ibigay..magbigay ng verbal pieces of advice and then may referral rin tayo kung saan sila pwedeng pumunta at mas matulungan sila ng mga
professionals...kasi syempre as head hindi ako expert as regards to that pero I always make sure na nandun yung support mg office of the principal and then...kagaya nung sa celebration ng teacher's day,so that's part...hinahanap natin sila na maging true sila sa kanilang sarili...parang bumalik sa pagkabata nila, na habang sila ay nag eenjoy, naglalaro..so though I wasn't here during the
celebration because I was attending the training...so nandun ung...I was always keeping in touch kung ano ung mga activities to be conducted
So that's one form, and uh...pangungumusta rin lagi kapag sila ay nakikita kasi hindi all the time na ma me-meet mo sila...bawat isa sa kanila
And that's one way rin na you will visit their office, halimbawa pupunta ako sa registrar..."kumusta na kayo?" So ung mga simpleng pangungumusta...so that's one way rin... of ah..kumbaga sabihin na i-support ung mental health nila...kasi sa pamamagitan ng simpleng salita, pangungumusta...I think, it has an impact...kasi I'm also putting myself to the shoes of everyone...so what if ano,
halimbawa nakakaexperience ng ganito...kapag ba may magsabi sa akin ng kamusta, how would I feel?...so of course... masarap sa p**iramdam and then ung
kapag...meron kang ano...i-share mo rin ung personal experience mo, kasi by sharing personal experience...ah hindi pala ako lang ang nakaka experience ng ganito...so by doing that...somehow, I know nakakatulong tayo, ang mahalaga don, andun ung support natin sa kanilang lahat...and ung pagbibigay natin ng ah...
ang trabaho, hindi yan nauubos, talagang everyday may trabaho tayo that's part of life and ung mga challenges... that's part...kasi nga kapag wala...sabi nga natin yang challenges, that's the spice of life... hindi magiging masarap ang buhay kung walang
challenges...kaya kailangan natin malakas yung support system...so ung support system nila sa admin, and then support system ko rin para sa kanila....
so un pa pala strong collaboration, and ung unity kung ano man ung mga dapat gawin sa paaralan.... at ung mga simple reminder din sa kanila para sa ating mga learners...kasi ang mga learners
talaga natin ngayon, we acknowledge na andaming mga challenges at iba iba so as long as andyan tayo to support them...malaking tulong yon...so un very simple lang pero i know na makakatulong yon
[Question 2] What can peer navigators do to help learners cope with personal-social, Academics, and career issues?
Ma'am Liz Banayo:
Actually ang hirap magbigay ng advice kasi...iba iba kasi ang na e-experience natin...pwede etong piece of advice makatulong sa isang tao...tas sa isa...it depends on the situation
Minsan kasi kagayan nyan halimbawa...sa mga klase, ung sa lesson ninyo na may ma to-touch ung ganitong topic...kaya dapat andun ung awareness...yun siguro ung 1 word na masasabi na na you should be aware of the people around us
Maging sensitive tayo sa needs ng bawat isa...kasi for example...ako as head, dapat p**iramdam ko malakas...sensitive ako sa needs ng mga teachers ko na nakikita ko ganito
So ano ang dapat gawin...anong gagawin support sa ating mga...
So kung nahihirapan sila ano ang dapat nating maitutulong...para gumaan ang p**iramdam nila at hindi sila magkaroon ng mental health issue
So awareness and being sensitive to the needs of your surroundingsβ¦
This interview reminds us of the meaningful insights shared by our School Principal,
Maβam Liza Banayo from the power of simple βKamusta?β moments to the importance of awareness, sensitivity, and strong support systems. Every act of care matters, and every conversation helps build a healthier school community.
At AKAP, we stand for compassion, collaboration, and the belief that no learner or teacher should face their struggles alone. As we continue advocating for mental wellness, may we carry this message forward: support is powerful, unity is healing, and together, we rise stronger for Antipolo City Senior High School.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Maβam Liza for her wisdom, time, and unwavering commitment to our ACSIANSβ well-being.