Mindset Plus Hosts Webinar on Youth Suicide Prevention

Mindset Plus hosted a mental health webinar titled “Changing the Narrative on Suicide: Safe Spaces, Strong Voices” on September 27, 2025, held virtually via Zoom. The event aimed to shed light on the growing challenge of youth suicide in the Philippines and to champion the creation of safe, inclusive spaces for open dialogue, healing, and collective action.

The session was led by Rea Celine Villa, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Mindset Plus, who shared powerful data and advocacy-driven insights on youth mental health and the importance of collaborative approaches to prevention and support.

The webinar brought together over 300 participants from the Philippines and abroad, including representatives from the National Center of Mental Health (NCMH), Department of Education, youth organizations, faith-based groups, local government units, and the academic sector. NCMH Chief Psychologist, Ms. Nyra Cabantug highlighted the current challenges on national level and identified the important actions on strategic, policy and service fronts to prevent and detect early and minimize risk of suicide attempts. 

Also present were a suicide survivor, who shared lived experiences and recovery perspectives, and a representative from Filipino schools in the Gulf region of the Middle East, highlighting the transnational dimension of youth mental health challenges.

During the discussion, participants identified key strategic, policy, and service-related gaps that continue to hinder effective suicide prevention efforts. These included the need for stronger inter-sectoral collaboration, more inclusive and youth-centered policies, and expanded access to mental health services across diverse settings. The group also outlined critical next steps to be pursued collectively — from strengthening advocacy and capacity-building initiatives to developing integrated support systems — to build a more responsive, compassionate, and resilient mental health ecosystem for Filipino youth.

This webinar forms part of Mindset Plus’s broader mission to promote mental wellness, enhance community resilience, and empower young people to seek help, speak out, and shape a more supportive and stigma-free future.