In response to the growing mental health challenges among students and educators, the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) held its Special Learning Session No. 17 on October 28, titled “The New Narrative of Depression: From Gray to Grace.”
The session featured Mr. Rene Emmanuel Arambulo, Executive Director of NGF Mindstrong, and Dr. Lucila O. Bance, the main author and trainer of NGF’s Katatagan Program. Both speakers shared how stories of pain can be transformed into journeys of healing, faith, and renewed hope—underscoring the vital role of mental wellness in learning communities.
In his message, CEAP Executive Director Mr. Narcy F. Ador Dionisio emphasized the deep connection between mental health and education.
“Many students do not fail because the curriculum is poor or the teachers are lacking, but because there is something deeper—something within their hearts—that needs to be cared for,” he said.
He added that beyond curriculum design and teacher training, schools must prioritize strong and integrated mental health programs to ensure that students learn more meaningfully.
Meanwhile, Ms. Jean Goldborn, President and Founder of NGF-Mindstrong, highlighted the growing responsibility of parents in today’s digital age, noting that “the world our children live in now is very different from what we knew in 2002.”
In closing, Mr. Dionisio shared CEAP’s plans to strengthen its partnership with NGF Mindstrong through future collaborative initiatives.
Through this collaboration, CEAP reaffirms its mission to promote holistic Catholic education—forming learners who are not only academically competent but also emotionally resilient, compassionate, and grounded in faith.