A timely and significant seminar titled “Seeing the Signs, Offering the Support: A Parent’s Guide to Teen Mental and Emotional Well-being” was held on 14 March 2026 at San Quintin National High School delivered by Mr. Alejandro P. Pablico, Principal of the Saint Louis University (SLU) Basic Education Schools.
The discussions focused primarily on the essential goal of recognizing subtle signs of depression and emotional distress that often go unnoticed in busy homes. Mr. Pablico stressed that awareness is the first step toward healing, urging parents to let go of the “it’s-just-a-phase” mentality. He highlighted the detailed analysis of behavioral red flags, such as persistent irritability, sudden social withdrawal, and sudden shifts in sleep or academic performance. The session helped parents learn to distinguish when their child’s silence is actually a cry for help, differentiating between more serious, ongoing signs of a mental health crisis and normal teenage moodiness.
Aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and the CICM Advocacies on Justice and Peace, the seminar concluded with a practical roadmap for providing ongoing support, extending beyond simple identification. Participants learned how to approach sensitive conversations without provoking defensiveness by engaging in active listening with empathy. The speaker emphasized that parents are the primary first responders in a teen’s life.
Parents were left feeling more equipped to safeguard their children’s emotional well-being by fostering a psychologically safe home environment and knowing when to seek professional help.
This seminar for the parents of Grade 10-12 students was held in partnership program between SLU and the Local Government of San Quintin, Pangasinan, through the leadership of SLU President Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD and San Quintin Mayor Farah Lee Lumahan. It was co-organized by Lea Castillo Cacayan, PhD, the Principal of San Quintin National High School; Mrs. Delia Quero, Municipal Social Welfare Development Officer; and Mr. Anthony David L. Neri, Social Welfare Officer. (Article and Photos by Dr. Joselito C. Gutierrez)
