The "Better Days" Youth Mental Health Caravan, led by the National Youth Commission (NYC), SM Cares, Mental Health Youth Hub PH, and I AM MAD, held its second leg at SM City Molino on July 11, 2026, to promote safe spaces and mental health awareness for Filipino youth. The community-based initiative featured interactive activities, inspiring talks, and meaningful conversations aimed at normalizing help-seeking behaviors and building peer support networks.
A Collaborative Effort to Support Youth Mental Health
The "Better Days" Caravan is a collaborative effort between the National Youth Commission, SM Cares, the Mental Health Youth Hub PH, and I AM MAD. The National Youth Commission, established in 1995 to represent Filipino youth in policy-making, has developed the Philippine Youth Development Plan (PYDP) 2023-2028, which prioritizes youth well-being and engagement . I AM MAD (Making A Difference) Volunteers Inc., a nonprofit organization recognized by the Department of Education as a MATATAG partner, has been active in values formation and youth empowerment for over a decade through its MAD Camp programs and volunteer initiatives . SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, regularly supports community well-being and youth-focused activities . Together, these organizations are working to create a national culture of support around mental health for young Filipinos.
Normalizing Conversations on Mental Health
The caravan featured interactive activities, talks, and conversations aimed at normalizing help-seeking behaviors and reducing stigma. This focus is consistent with the Mental Health Youth Hub PH's advocacy, which calls for "changing the narrative on suicide" by moving "away from silence and stigma, and moving toward understanding, acceptance, and hope" . Their message emphasizes that a simple "Kumusta ka?" can spark healing, and that reaching out can remind someone that they are not alone . By bringing these conversations to local communities, the caravan is making mental health resources more accessible and helping youth build the peer support networks they need to navigate challenges.
