Sa Labas ng Classroom (Outside the Classroom)

"Once you're a mental health worker, even outside a company, you'll always be a mental health worker." - Maya Racuya

In another insightful episode, Ms. Maya Racuya shares her journey as a mental health advocate and entrepreneur. She talks about how mental health is a balance of self and how diet plays a crucial role in this equation. We also discuss the importance of safe spaces, and how businesses can be portals for referral to mental health professionals. With her knowledge and experience, this episode also features the terms, adaptogenics and ayurveda. Join us in this episode and discover something new!

The "Can't Say No Syndrome" among Filipino adults

Garcia, R. (2017).

ABSTRACT

An individual who displays the Can’t Say No Syndrome (CSNS) has a sense of self-worth that appears to depend on the support of others. They have difficulty in being assertive and are habitually saying “yes”. Similar to the concept of the CSNS are Filipino cultural notions namely, “kapwa”, “hiya”, “utang na loob”, and “pakikisama”. This value system can be illustrated in the popular Filipino concept of “masamang tao”, “walang hiya”, “walang utang na loob” and “walang pakikisama”. The current study has investigated the factors, advantages and disadvantages of the CSNS. Interviews were conducted to nine (n=9) male and female adults between the age of 23 – 56 years old residing in Benguet, Pangasinan and Metro Manila. Pagtatanung-tanong (asking questions) and pakikipagkwentuhan (sharing stories) were used to determine their experiences. Responses from the interview were analyzed through thematic analysis too. The results show that the CSNS among Filipino adults are evident in almost all the aspects of interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships. The result reveals themes namely: Moral Obligation, Guilt, Avoidance of Negative Outcomes and having No Choice. However, the CSNS can be advantageous as individuals were motivated to Self-Actualize. Conversely, this may lead to such disadvantages: Contradicting Ones’ Own Values and Beliefs, and People Pleasing and Approval Seeking to adhere to expectations and aspirations of others.

Keywords: Can’t Say No Syndrome, People Pleasing, “no”

"Colleagues should take care of each other, have fun, celebrate success, learn by failure, look for reasons to praise not to criticize, communicate freely and respect each other." - Richard Branson

Years after our initial encounter, Johana Ulban and Beverly Marzo share their thoughts about how colleagues become friends. Beverly highlights the importance of standards, while Johana elaborates a 'technical' formula. We also reminisce about our experiences that made us close. Lastly, we describe our current friendship status and our hopes for our relationships. Our conversation definitely brought back A LOT of laughter, fun, and good memories!

Self-consciousness and the experience of the impostor phenomenon among Filipino young adults

Gahid, M. (2017).

Abstract

Previous researches documented the Impostor Phenomenon among adults and Asians. This study responds to the limited exploration of Impostor Phenomenon among young adults and Filipinos, which aims to (1) identify the dominant dimension of self-consciousness among Filipino young adults; (2) determine the most experienced Impostor Phenomenon factor; (3) investigate the contribution of self-consciousness dimensions to Impostor Phenomenon. Filipino young adults (N=452) from Benguet, Ilocos Region, and National Capital Region completed the Self-Consciousness Scale and the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale. Filipino young adults scored high on all dimensions of self-consciousness where public self-consciousness was rated the highest. In terms of Impostor Phenomenon experience, Fake was identified as the most prevalent factor. Personal and societal perceptions and generation differences are seen as potential explanations of the findings. All dimensions of self-consciousness significantly contribute to the Impostor Phenomenon experience of Filipino young adults. Cultural concepts that mainly contribute to the results are discussed. Relevant suggestions about positively strengthening the self-consciousness of Filipino young adults and how to deal with Impostor Phenomenon experiences are provided.

Key words: self-consciousness, Impostor Phenomenon, young adults

"A moment of self-compassion can change your entire day. A string of such moments can change the course of your life." -Christopher Germer

After knowing more about the experiences of Impostor Phenomenon, Grace Ang, Angelica Nichole Marco, and Eden Grace Rudio share a few tips about how to have more self-compassion. Our discussion includes the importance of goal setting yet honoring and asserting boundaries, knowing your purpose yet having a self-care routine, and keep going yet forgiving oneself.

This episode will surely give you the feels! 

"The better you feel about yourself, the less you feel the need to show off." - Robert Hand

Have you ever experienced feeling like your achievements were not truly your own? Maybe, you've thought about how luck has brought you success or that you are probably deceiving the people around you because you're really not the 'great' person they perceive you as?

Joined by three other psychologists, Grace Ang, Angelica Nichole Marco, and Eden Grace Rudio, this episode features notable details about how we experienced the Impostor Phenomenon. We also describe our current level of self-esteem, and highlight how self-esteem affects how we view our personal and professional successes.

You don't want to miss out on this collaboration of minds, friendship, and life lessons!

"We also want to recognize our abilitiy to choose what we can change for the better." - Ivan Mark De Leon

As Ivan and I share about the changes we have seen, experienced, and are axcited about, we integrate our perspectives as mental health professionals, friends, and individuals in our discussion. We also exchange our opinions about good and bad change and an example of critical change that helped us defined who we were at the time. Beyond the context of change, we highlight how making decisions, self-love, and self-care become crucial factors in the process. Lastly, identifying one's purpose directly affects the version of change you want for yourself.

Check out Ivan's bands:

(1) We the Mountains

FB: https://m.facebook.com/wethemountainsmusic/

Soundcloud: https://m.soundcloud.com/wethemountainsmusic

YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCz82y43nej16piS-BCRG2dA

(2) The Cortado: https://m.facebook.com/Cortadoband/

Follow With Love Is @withloveis.ph

"Does this work align with my values?" 

Disclaimer: This topic touches on depressive symptoms and experience of depressive episode.

In the last episode of Sa Labas ng Classroom (Season 1), Ms. Eden Grace Rudio shares how the pandemic made her experience a break, a pause, and impactful rejection. Our insightful discussion includes a formula for breakthrough, the grief process, and the effect of delaying such process. We also express a more vulnerable aspect of ourselves as we emphasize how psychologists (and other mental health professionals) are not immune to strong emotions and essentially, mental health concerns. 

Check out Ms. Eden's page, Isip Usapan (https://www.facebook.com/isipusapan).

Ms. Eden and I are a part of Psychstart, Psychological, Academic and Art Services clinic. Our clinic offers FREE consultation (limited slots) every last Sunday of the month. Inquire or reserve a slot via our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/psychstartservices.

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Curious about Season 2? Help me prepare by answering a few questions: https://bit.ly/SLCSeason2

"Before you become a leader, success is all about growing yourself. After you become a leader, success is about growing others." -Jack Welch

Disclaimer: This episode mentions suicide cases, suicide, and reactions to suicide.

In this episode, I have an insighful discussion with Ms. Pharisia Gail Tudlong, who admittingly wears a lot of hats (metaphorically at least). We talk about her preconceptions of leadership and how her experiences built the path towards acknowledging her own definition of leadership. She also shares a few things about crab mentality and gossip, the importance of trainings, and being scammed. She encourages everyone to Choose to Rise while giving a Daily Dose of Sunshine to everyone you meet. We also highlight how you can be a part of the mental health movement by being a member of Project S.I.L.E.W.

Avail her 1st book (Daily Dose of Sunshine) via Shoppee: https://shopee.ph/Daily-Dose-of-Sunshine-Book-by-Pharisia-Gail-Leyaley-Tudlong-i.25079907.3656714845). 

Feel free to send her a message to know more about her 2nd book (Choose to Rise) or Project S.I.L.E.W. via her FB page (https://www.facebook.com/phar.tudlong)

"Comparison is the thief of joy." - Theodore Roosevelt

Disclaimer: This episode contains experiences of grief, body shaming, and bullying.

In one of the more emotion-laden episodes, Raphi Sta. Ana, Honey Palmito, Dulcy Faustino, Alma Gaddawon, and Kimberly Marata comfortably share pieces of their vulnerability as we talk about insecurity and loss. Although the topic is broad and requires an immense level of courage to be used in everyday conversation, Raphi, Honey, Dulcy, Alma, and Kim bravely identify how they describe insecurity and loss. Our conversation includes the experience of losing loved ones, various sources of insecurity, and the importance of one's social circles. As we dive into relatively uncomfortable sub-topics, the friendship shared by the guests is emphasized. This episode remarkably incorporates heartwarming words of wisdom untainted by the shadows of self-doubt, low self-esteem, and heartbreak.