Social Sciences Forum to Focus on Mental Health of the Youth

This will be the topic of discussion during the 2nd Annual Forum on Social Sciences, to be held on November 9, 2013 at the Yuchengco Building of the DLSU campus. Focusing on the theme “Youth at Risk: Depressive Symptoms among University Students—Who Needs Help and How are we Helping?”, the day-long forum is co-sponsored by the Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society in the Social Sciences, and the Social Development Research Center and Behavioral Sciences Department of the DLSU College of Liberal Arts. The forum will feature presentations by the Society’s Beta (DLSU) Chapter and Psychology Department Associate Professor Dr. Madelene Sta. Maria for an “Overview of Mental Health Research Priorities among University Students”; and by its President and Behavioral Sciences Department Chair Dr. Romeo B. Lee on “Who are at Risk for Depressive Symptoms among Filipino University Students? Evidence from a Large-Scale Survey”. CLA Dean Dr. Julio C. Teehankee will give the opening remarks.

The afternoon sessions for the forum will consist of a panel discussion on “What Universities are Doing to Help Students at Risk for Mental Health?” to be participated in by guidance counselors from universities in Metro Manila, and a business meeting on “Collaborative Large-Scale Research on Mental Health among University Students.”

The Annual Forum on Social Sciences aims to foster a greater level of awareness and knowledge of mental health problems among university students as a research and program issue, by: 1) Providing an overview of the mental health research priorities among university students; 2) Discussing scientific evidence on the characteristics of university students at risk for depressive symptoms; 3) Discussing campus-based mental health interventions for students, and 4) Offering the public an opportunity to share and discuss relevant perspectives and experiences.