CALOOCAN City Mayor Dave Gonzalo Malapitan announced on Sunday that the local government has launched the city's 'Calm Space' facility to provide free and accessible relaxation and mindfulness activities.
Malapitan said the facility, located on the 5th Floor of City Hall-South, would promote better mental health awareness among the city's residents.
For its opening sessions, he said that the facility offered yoga classes and sound-healing activities. Future sessions will include an in-house mental health coach to provide immediate counselling and mental health support.
Malapitan acknowledged that mental health is still a growing concern, especially among young people and students experiencing anxiety, depression, and burnout.
“Prioritizing health programs necessarily includes mental health, and that his administration will continue to support this advocacy,” he said.
The son of former long-time mayor and now District 1 Rep. Oscar Malapitan told The Manila Times that he immediately ordered concerned city officials to establish the facility after learning, through his school and community visits, about the need to enhance the city's mental health programs.
“I believe this kind of project would be a big help to address these issues, and we plan to put up a similar facility in Caloocan North so that more of my constituents would benefit from its free services,” the younger Malapitan said.
“Remember, if you need to pause, you have Caloocan Calm Space to help you heal and recover," he added. ARLIE CALALO
