CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY | Rotary CDO East Urban, in partnership with In-Touch Community Services, successfully launched Project YAKAP, a joint initiative dedicated to “Advancing the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Mothers and Children.”
This event also marked the kickoff project for Rotary International District 3870, under the leadership of District Governor Marlowe Selecios, held on the very first day of the new Rotary Year and serves as the first official initiative by the Club led by President Stephanie Caragos. The project is Rotary CDO East Urban’s second collaboration with In Touch, reaffirming a shared commitment to accessible mental health education in the community.
Held at the Capitol University on July 1, 2025, the event gathered 86 participants, including 10 guidance counselors, 9 teachers, 10 secondary school representatives, 10 elementary school representatives, 5 school administrators, and 42 parents/guardians from across Cagayan de Oro. An additional 37 Rotarians and volunteers have also attended the said workshop to support and engage in the activities.
Here’s the complete list of participating schools and group volunteers:
- Capitol University
- Capitol University Basic Education Department
- Corpus Christi School
- Kong Hua School
- DepEd – Angeles Sisters
- DepEd – Balulang National High School
- DepEd – Bayabas Elementary and National High School
- DepEd – Bonbon Elementary School
- DepEd – Bongbongon Elementary School
- DepEd – Bulua Central School
- DepEd – Bulua National High School
- DepEd – Cagayan de Oro National High School
- DepEd – Camaman-an National High School
- DepEd – Carmen National High School
- DepEd – City Central School
- DepEd – Iponan Elementary
- DepEd – Iponan National High School
- DepEd – Kashagan National High School
- DepEd – North City Central School
- DepEd – PN Roa National High School
- DepEd – San Simon National High School
- DepEd – Tablon Elementary School
- DepEd – Taguanao Elementary School
- DepEd – West City Central School
- DepEd – Mahalo School
- DepEd – Oro Christian Grace School
- DepEd – Puntod National High School
- Community Learning Hub
- Modern Nanay of Mindanao
- Oro Christian Grace School
- Solo Parent Sector
The full-day workshop focused on mental health fundamentals, recognizing signs of distress in children and teenagers, and practicing emotionally supportive communication. It also covers common adult struggles, including parenting stress, burnout, and postpartum depression, which are often carried in silence.
Touching Lives Beyond the Room
With 86 participants and 37 Rotarians and volunteers, the real impact extends far deeper into the community. These aren’t just numbers, but they represent classrooms full of learners, households filled with growing children, and individuals navigating daily emotional challenges.
Thanks to the multiplier effect of knowledge-sharing in schools and homes:
- Teachers, school administrators, and representatives who joined the workshop are expected to reach over 22,000 students, applying what they learned to promote emotional safety and mental wellness in their classrooms.
- Parents and guardians, most of them care for multiple children, bring the lessons of emotionally attuned communication and self-care into their homes, impacting an estimated 138 children.
Project Yakap potentially touches the lives of 22,138 young individuals. Each one is now closer to a more understanding, emotionally safe environment because one adult in their life showed up, listened, and learned.
Our Guest Speakers
As part of the Project Yakap launch, In-Touch Community Services brought in a team of seasoned mental health professionals to lead the discussions and workshops led by Gerard Kristoffer “Jake” Flores, Head of Advocacy and Outreach Programs at In Touch. He highlighted the importance of grassroots mental health initiatives in building resilient families and communities.
Following his remarks, the program transitioned into four interactive sessions, designed to equip participants to better understand and support the mental wellness of mothers and children.
The workshop was conducted by Maria Belen “Len” Hizon and Aylin Bello, both licensed Psychologists practicing as a child, adolescent, adult, and family therapist. They shared useful insights to recognize emotional distress, strengthen communication, and support the mental wellness of mothers and children.
Also supporting the program was Marielle Alyanna “Ella” Bangalan, who provided support and assistance throughout the sessions, helping ensure a smooth learning experience for all attendees. Her behind-the scenes role was vital to the overall success of the event.
Highlights from the Workshop Sessions
An introductory session discussed the basics of mental health, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and early intervention. The session also included insights on maternal mental health challenges, such as anxiety and postpartum depression, which often go unspoken yet deeply affect both mother and child.
The second session explored the emotional world of children and teens, highlighting how adults’ words and actions can significantly influence their mental wellbeing. Attendees learned how to recognize early signs of distress and communicate in emotionally attuned ways.
One of the most critical sessions in the afternoon focused on identifying the warning signs, risk factors, and intervention strategies for youth suicide. It underscored the importance of creating safe, open environments at home and in school where children feel heard and supported. Guest speaker Len Hizon emphasized during the session, “Self-care is not selfish.” This reminder resonated with participants who often put others’ needs ahead of their own.
This final session emphasized compassionate, responsive parenting. Participants explored practical ways to strengthen emotional connections, manage parental stress, and build resilience, especially vital for mothers dealing with postpartum stress or burnout.
What is Project Yakap?
“Yakap”, the Filipino word for “embrace,” beautifully symbolizes what children and parents both long for safety, connection, and comfort. This full-day workshop is designed to equip parents, teachers, and guidance counselors with the knowledge, awareness, and practical tools to support children’s mental health while also caring for their own wellbeing, such as:
- Understanding Mental health fundamentals and self-awareness;
- Postpartum depression and caregiver burnout;
- Youth suicide prevention and resilience in parenting, and
- Emotionally attuned communication with children.
This initiative was spearheaded by Rotary CDO East Urban, under the leadership of Club President Stephanie Caragos. The project was led by Project Chair Pam Salon, with Past President Daisy Tiu serving as Co-Chair, and Director for Community Service Bing Dacudao providing strategic support.
In-Touch: Our Partner in Advocacy
In-Touch Community Services is a nonprofit organization that has been providing mental health support in the Philippines since 1980. With a mission to promote emotional wellbeing through accessible, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based care, In Touch offers counseling, training, and crisis support to individuals, families, and communities.
The organization specializes in trauma-informed care, psychological first aid, resilience training, and community outreach programs, working closely with schools, NGOs, businesses, and local governments to make mental health support more inclusive and responsive to everyday needs.
For those seeking immediate mental health support, In-Touch operates 24/7 crisis lines that are free, confidential, and available nationwide:
Contact In Touch Crisis Line:
- Landline:
(02) 8893-7603 - Mobile:
+63 919 056 0709
+63 917 800 1123
+63 922 893 8944
For more information, visit www.in-touch.org.
