MLAC Institute for Psychosocial Services, Inc.

05/05/2026

ICYMI: Our ED Hannah Morillo shared our ongoing partnership with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. 🇵🇭

The eCOF aims to scale up digital mental healthcare for the children of Non-Resident Filipinos or Filipinos residing abroad. We are grateful for the endorsement and support of CFO in bringing this intervention to Filipino youth across the 🌎.

01/04/2026

🙏🏽 This time two years ago, this book entitled “Spirituality in Mental Health Research and Practice” was launched at the first National Brain and Mental Health Symposium by the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), co-authored by the country’s leading experts and practitioners, Dr. Lourdes Ignacio, Dr. Michael Tan, and Dr. Allan B.I. Bernardo, and our dear President-Founder, Dr. Honey Carandang.

This book peers into the interplay between science, spirituality, and religion, specifically in the context of mental health and the wellbeing of Filipinos. ✨

Dr. Honey shared some anecdotes from her decades-long experience as a clinician and researcher, and she placed emphasis on spirituality as the “core” of effective psychological intervention. ✨

Beyond the five senses comes transcendence—seeing beyond what is in front of us and believing in what is yet to come, a basic human need to hold on to hope and know that there is light at the end of the tunnel (Carandang et al., 2018). Dr. Honey added that connecting deeply with ourselves, with our thoughts and emotions, is a spiritual act on its own.

We are hoping that in the coming days, we can all take some time to pause, reach inward, and check in with our spiritual well-being. 🙏🏽

A short note from MLAC Institute —
In observance of Holy Week, we would like to inform you that we will be taking a break and will resume office on Monday, April 6th. Thank you for your kind understanding. May this week bring us peace, love, and mindfulness. 🙏🏽

Words: Ms Vea Vallesteros

31/03/2026

💜 On the last day of March, we urge Filipinos to keep going—to keep questioning and scrutinizing the systems in place, those that relentlessly threaten the fundamental rights of girls and women.

💜 In the midst of global crises and issues of national concern, where do we currently stand on gender empowerment? International Women’s Month invited us to reflect on these realities, and we acknowledge that the work is far from over.

💜 Through the years, we at MLAC Institute continue to accompany women and hold space for each other. We recognize and deeply respect the critical and oftentimes challenging roles that women play for our communities to flourish. We applaud you, and we stand with you! 🙌🏽

Photos:
Page 1: Dr Richie Parr at the 2026 Pasig City Gender and Development Office on Women’s Mental Health and Wellbeing as a Pathway to Empowerment
Page 2: MLAC Institute public engagements with women youth, migrant workers (with former Secretary Mely Nicolas), and public school teachers.
Page 3: MLAC Institute in communities (women social workers, enforcers, local leaders) in urban and rural settings talking about the vital importance of caring for themselves, as the members also practice caring for one another.

Words: Ms Vea Vallesteros

09/03/2026

💜💜💜

𝟗 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝟏𝟎 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐬𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐏𝐑𝐂) 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧.

💜 Dr. Carandang was the first psychologist to receive the award.

26/02/2026

As we near the end of the first quarter of 2026, we cannot help but reflect on what transpired at the 26th WAPR Annual Conference, by the World Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation-Philippines held at the National Center for Mental Health.

This convening of over 20 CSOs in the Philippines aimed to examine the past, present, and future roles of the non-government sector in promoting mental health in the country.

Representing the MLAC Institute for Psychosocial Services, Executive Director Ms. Hannah Morillo shared with the plenary our continued commitment to our mission, particularly to marginalised and traumatised communities:

🔹 To capacitate mental health workers and allied professionals;
🔹 To help strengthen mental health institutions in performing mental health-related functions such as service delivery, research, and training;
🔹 To raise awareness on mental health and community care, which helps in reducing the stigma against mental illness; and
🔹 To increase access to mental health services.

Sharing our WHYs and HOWs led to a fruitful discussion on how to strengthen the synergy among NGOs and how we can work together towards better mental health governance in the Philippines, specifically forming the manifesto presented to the Philippine Council for Mental Health.

To friends in the advocacy that we have made throughout our journey of Mindfulness, Love, and Compassion, we are always grateful for your presence, support, and partnership.

Thank you, WAPR-Ph for a meaningful conference that reminded us of our work as one community and the power of COLLABORATION.

(Words: Vea Vallesteros)

18/02/2026

🤲 We are honored to share that Dr Honey Carandang addressed nationwide representatives of social action centers in the Philippines at the 42nd National Social Action General Assembly (NASAGA) organized by Caritas Philippines.

In the midst of meaningful conversations on corruption, education, and social reforms, Dr. Honey offered a gentle yet powerful reminder: that caring for our inner world is just as vital as transforming the outer one. 🤲

In a time where to-do lists seem never ending, our attention is pulled left and right, and human dignity is too easily forgotten, mindfulness invites us to pause. It invites us to breathe. It invites us to center ourselves in the now. 🍃

Through her interactive talk, Dr. Honey shared how our non-judgmental awareness towards what is going on inside us and around us can reshape not only our personal lives, but also how we relate to others and our communities. 🙏🏽

Her message resonates deeply: when we choose to be present, we create space for understanding, healing, and transformation. Because change, after all, begins from within. 💚

MLAC Institute is grateful to Caritas Philippines as we continue to build strong faith-based partnerships to forward mental health, social justice, and service through action. ✨

Words and photos: Ms Danela Dagdag

14/02/2026

🩷 We hope you are reminded of a love that's meaningful and true. Take care!

Sharing some reflections of love from some of MLAC Institute team and musings from our junior members. 🦋

13/02/2026

It was a global gathering like no other for mental health advocates. 🙌🏽

With almost 400 individuals from 70+ countries, the Global Mental Health Advocacy Network held its 4th Global Mental Health Advocacy Forum held in Iloilo City on 2-4 February 2026. MLAC Institute was a proud partner GMHAN represented by our Executive Director Hannah Morillo, psychologist Tess Aguilar, and mental health advocate Vea Vallesteros.

💙 With the theme of “No Voice Left Behind”, Ms Hannah notes that “it was a joy to observe how it was organic for people to excitedly meet for the first time, partner for collaborations, feel impassioned about advocacies, and intently savour the messages of the plenary sessions. There were endless enriching discussions on local and global initiatives and cross-cultural experiences of mental wellbeing and ill-health. Distinct to the Forum was the tangible shifting power dynamics in language, funding, and historically minoritised voices. Participants owned - and celebrated - their narratives. The Global Mental Health Advocacy Forum was collegial, affirming, and action-oriented.”

🧡 It was rewarding to have participants from the US, Belize, Canada, Indonesia, India, Hong Kong, UK, and the Philippines, in mindfulness activities inspired by our Ilonggo service users. The mindful walk led by Ms Hannah started from the riverwalk to Molo Plaza, highlighting the spiritual component of mental healthcare amongst Filipinos. The activity ended with a mindful eating exercise sampling local merienda, which delighted the participants.

💜 Ms Vea adds, “I was humbled by all the connections and learnings through which the values of compassion, kindness, authenticity, integrity, and service were shared—with people from all over the archipelago and across continents. This forum reminded me of the meaning and importance of what may be a “simple” act of SHOWING UP. I feel thoroughly inspired to continue doing so for myself, for my community, and for this advocacy.”

🩷MLAC Institute is grateful to be selected to showcase our work amongst 27 local and international organizations we deeply respect. We loved sharing a mini experience of our culturally responsive interventions that we do at scale to traumatised and marginalised communities, esp to participants who seem to benefit from a mindful pause. The Forum was an incredible meeting place that connecting us to similar organisations from around the world, as well as local/national government officials. We noticed that co-advocates were drawn by the words, “mindfulness”, “love”, and “compassion”.

🤍 Ms Tess shares, “my most important takeaway from the Forum is the message from one of the speakers, Emma Rawson-Te Patu, on being a ‘good human’. As a clinician it is what you always carry into the practice. GMHAN in essence for me emanates that.”

🙏🏽 Our heartfelt gratitude to the Global Mental Health Action Network team, United for Global Mental Health, and to local partner MentalHealthPH. We are proud of you and fellow Filipino organisations and delegates who showcased our Filipino core values through genuine hospitality and care.

✨ Let’s keep doing the advocacy and nurture this supportive collective! ✨

03/02/2026

Checking in for Day 1 of the 4th Global Mental Health Advocacy Forum! 🌍💻

2,200 advocates from 130 countries. One mission: No voice left behind.

MLAC Institute is proud and ready to take part in the workshops and roundtables to ensure grassroots mental health advocacy gets the global platform it deserves.

Let's make our voices heard and shift the power together!

Thank you for joining the mindful walking and eating experience in Iloilo City led by our Executive Director, Ms Hannah Morillo. Let’s continue to connect and collaborate! Do visit our booth at the Showcase Center ✨grateful to GMHAN for making this happen 🙏🏽

See you there!

24/12/2025

Warm Christmas wishes from all of us at MLAC Institute. Thank you for being part of what we are grateful for this year! 🎄✨🙏🏾