Chiang Kai Shek College successfully conducted a comprehensive mental health seminar titled “Anchored in Grace: Actions for a Healthy Mind, Body, and Spirit” on July 20, 2026, at the Padre Algue Campus Auditorium. The event brought together Grade School and Junior High School students for an important discussion on mental wellness and holistic health.

The seminar featured distinguished speaker Dr. Leona Paula Martinez-Mallari, who emphasized the critical importance of mental health care among young students.

Dr. Leona Paula Martinez-Mallari is a Pediatrician and Pediatric Gastroenterologist with extensive experience in child and adolescent healthcare. She is a Diplomate of the Philippine Pediatric Society and the Philippine Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. Dr. Martinez-Mallari serves as consultant in several hospitals and medical institutions and is an active lecturer on children’s health, wellness, and development.

The speaker engaged students in discussions about how various factors—including puberty, peer pressure, bullying, social media, and family relationships—affect mental well-being.

“We are impressed by how even our young students can accurately define and understand mental health,” said Dr. Martinez-Mallari. “The seminar highlighted that individual differences don’t create division; rather, they provide us with multiple effective ways of dealing with adversity.”

The speaker encouraged students to practice fundamental self-care habits such as getting adequate sleep, maintaining a healthy diet, and exercising regularly. She also inspired students to “be strong and courageous, stand firm, and always look beyond circumstances while fixing their eyes on the prize.”

Students actively participated throughout the seminar, asking thoughtful questions and sharing their personal coping strategies. The interactive session demonstrated the students’ curiosity and engagement with the important topic of mental health.

The event was emceed by CKSC Guidance Counselor, Mr. Rainier Uy.

This seminar reflects Chiang Kai Shek College’s continued commitment to providing holistic education that centers not only on academic excellence but also on the safety, well-being, and mental health of every student. The college recognizes that nurturing healthy minds, hearts, and bodies is essential to developing well-rounded individuals.