The Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology (ASSCAT), in coordination with the Association of Guidance Counselors in Caraga, Inc., launched the “Mental Health Matters through Training on RACE Against Suicide Module 1: Basic Skills for All Personnel” today, June 26, at the Quality Assurance Management Function Hall as part of its institutional commitment to mental health and well-being.

Participated in by school administration and guidance office staff, the training workshop aimed to equip attendees with essential skills in suicide prevention and mental health support. The sessions were facilitated by Ms. Maristela C. Gales, RGC, and Ms. May A. Ocarez, RGC, President and Vice President of the Association of Guidance Counselors in Caraga, Inc., who delivered in-depth discussions on “Suicide and the School” and “How to Recognize, Assess, Convince, Entrust (RACE) Against Suicide.”

College President Dr. Joy C. Capistrano, together with Vice President Carmelo S. Llanto for Academic Affairs and Quality Assurance, and Vice President Janice S. Dini-ay for Administration, Finance, and Planning, expressed their support for the initiative, reflecting the administration’s strong commitment to prioritizing mental health within the academic community.

Aside from ASSCAT’s commitment to holistic education and institutional care, this training also directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals—specifically SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by promoting mental health awareness, SDG 4 (Quality Education) by empowering educators to support students’ emotional needs, and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by fostering a safer and more responsive academic environment.

Together, we move forward—not just informed, but empowered—to champion mental health and save lives, one conversation at a time.