Kylie Verzosa launches online mental health support group
MISS International 2016 Kylie Verzosa has always advocated for awareness of mental health issues even before her days as a beauty queen. She has publicly admitted she was clinically depressed five years ago, before she joined the Binibining Pilipinas pageant.
She fought on despite this challenge and not only became the sixth Filipina Miss International but also eventually joined show business after her reign.
She has also used her personal experience with mental illness to launch an online support group called Mental Health Matters. It’s a space she and her sister created together with select people meant to provide support to those experiencing mental illnesses.
The page also provides information nforental with regards to mental health, as education is the best way to create understanding ding and empathy toward those who battle with it.
According to the Department ment of Health, mental illness and mental retardation are ranked ked third and fourth among the types of disabilities in the he country. Young professionals als have also become victims of mental health illnesses, as intentional self- harm is the he ninth leading cause of death h among those aged 20 to 24 4 years old.
With this advocacy, , Araneta City, the home of Binibining Pilipinas, launched the #IAMEnough mental health awareness exhibit at the Gateway Mall Activity area with Verzosa gracing the affair, along with Philippine Mental Health Association National Executive Director Carolina UnoRayco, J. Amado Araneta Foundation (JAAF) Executive Director Diane Romero. JAAF is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of the Araneta Group.
As the recently rebranded Araneta City continues to build an inclusive community, projects like the #IAMEnough exhibit at the Gateway Mall are important additions to the many things the pioneering commercial district offers its visitors, residents and employees within the city.
Presented by Araneta City in partnership with JAAF and the Philippine Mental Health Association, the exhibit hopes to bring attention to the reality of mental health illnesses. Proceeds from the photobooth and merchandise are for the benefit of PMHA.