The Counseling and Assessment Services Unit (CASU), under the Office of the Student and Alumni Affairs Services (OSAAS), celebrated CASU Week 2025, an annual week-long awareness of counseling and assessment services from March 18-21, 2025, with the theme “Solidifying Awareness and Celebrating Strengths: Enhancing Mental Health, Career Empowerment, Inclusion, and Diversity.”
Asst. Prof. Emmanuelle A. Santiago, MAEd, RGC, Head of CASU, stated “Programs that emphasize mental health, career development, and inclusivity are crucial for the success of both students and employees. Prioritizing mental health can help individuals effectively manage stress, leading to enhanced performance. Career development initiatives equip individuals with vital skills and experiences, while inclusivity efforts ensure everyone feels welcomed and has equal opportunities. By focusing on these areas, educational institutions can support students and employees in becoming confident and well-equipped for their future endeavors.”
“This initiative has been part of the center’s move to destigmatize the guidance office–as a discipline office providing sanctions for troubled students. Through CASU week celebrations, we are giving the unit an avenue to get closer to students, making them feel heard, safe, and taken care of. By letting students know about our services, students and even employees will know that there is an office in the university willing to listen and guide them in their concerns, without judgment,” Asst. Prof. Iris Cristelle D. Destura, MAIP, RPm, said.
The celebration was filled with several seminars which were all held at the RTU Plenary Hall, Estolas Building, aimed to cater to Rizaliano community members: student-athletes, select College students across colleges, Laboratory School faculty members, LGBTQ learners, and student leaders. Graced by various experts and professionals in the field of mental health as resource speakers, these seminars were all organized and facilitated by 3rd Year Bachelor of Science in Psychology students and the RTU-Boni Peer Facilitators, in partnership with the Mandaluyong Campus Central Student Council.
As Rizal Technological University, thru CASU, continuously advocates and provides awareness initiatives over the years to further promote well-being and mental health support for every Rizaliano, this year’s theme promotes an avenue for the whole Rizaliano community to strongly highlight the paramount importance of mental health and holistic well-being among students and employees. With the challenges entailed by the ever-changing times, the pursuit continues as CASU proves that despite diversity and differences, the Pandayang Rizalia flourishes and thrives individually and collectively as a community while turning RTU as inclusive as it has ever been.
