Bridging Theory and Practice: Navigating Clinical Practice, Assessment Report and Mental Health Disparities with Future Psychologists

On August 21, 2024, World Citi Medical Center opened their doors to Light for All Foundation to host an educational event for psychology students at World Citi Colleges. Dr. Anthony Kelada, a distinguished psychiatrist, and Simone Khalil, a dedicated psychiatric nurse, both are expatriates from United States, visited World Citi Colleges to engage with psychology students in a meaningful and informative discussion. The session was aimed at enhancing the students’ understanding of practical aspects of their future profession as they approach their internships and eventual careers.

The event was made possible with the support of Mr. Benedict Antazo, Head of the Psychology Department, along with the dedicated efforts of the psychology committees and officers. Their collaboration ensured the event’s success and provided a valuable learning experience for all attendees.

Dr. Kelada shared his extensive expertise on best practices for patient care, focusing on writing effective assessment reports. He provided practical tips for handling clinical scenarios and documenting findings to aid treatment planning and communication with other healthcare professionals. His presentation was designed for 3rd and 4th-year psychology students, helping them transition smoothly into their internships and future roles as practitioners by bridging theoretical knowledge with real-world application.

Simone Khalil, on the other hand, addressed the 1st and 2nd-year psychology students, focusing on the critical issue of mental health disparities in diverse communities. Her presentation shed light on how social, cultural, spiritual and economic factors contribute to mental health challenges and the barriers that marginalized communities face in accessing adequate mental health care. Simone’s insights were intended to foster a deeper understanding of these disparities and encourage the students to consider the broader context of their practice. Her discussion highlighted the importance of cultural competence and sensitivity in providing equitable mental health services, emphasizing that an awareness of these issues is essential for effective and compassionate care.

The visit by Dr. Kelada and Simone Khalil was a significant opportunity for the psychology students at World City Colleges to gain practical knowledge and a broader perspective on their future profession. Their contributions not only enriched the students’ academic experience but also equipped them with crucial skills and awareness for their upcoming roles in the field of psychology.

Voices of Success:

Question 1: How was the seminar?

“Yes po, it’s good naman po. I’ve learned a lot po some. Yun Masaya po.” – Jhon Rae Demdam, 1st year student

“For me po, it was well organized po, the way the speakers tells and give information about the topic it was well organized po and structured.” – Kim Angel Casimiro, 1st year student

“Based on my experience po in the seminar since it was first seminar na nangyari po dito sa school, very okay naman po iyong experience nya and I could say na naging malaki pong help din sa amin lalo na sa year level namin sa 4th year, since yung topic po talaga is talagang nakarelate po kami and marami po kaming natutuhan dun sa mismong speaker since forte nya rin yung nashare nya sa amin. And also, kailangan namin ng iba pang mga kumbaga perspective talaga ng mga psychologist para sa amin po, dahil po yun din yung aming career path na tatahakin and so if ever na makapagpracticum po kami, big help po yung seminar para po madagdagan yung mga learnings and yung mga knowledge namin once na andun na kami mismo sa talagang field namin.” – Dhannilla Marie Abubo, 3rd year student

Question 2: What are the things you’ve learned from the discussion?

“About sa broken families po. Then I love yung topic po about sa mga abused, nasexual abused po.” – Jhon Rae

“As my perspective po as a listener po that time, siguro po pinakanatutunan ko is to handle my emotions well and to be open as well. Kasi po, for me po yung pagiging open po kasi sa iba, wala na pong limitations so one of the learnings ko po that time is to have boundaries when it comes to being open para mas well din po yung mental health ko.” – Kim Angel

“Isa po dun sa pinaka naaalala ko dun sa seminar na nadiscuss ni doc is yung kapag meron tayong pinagdadaanan personally as a person and isa ka pong psychologist or you’re counselling the client, isa dun yung kahalagahan ng boundaries mo as a counsellor and also as a psychologist in the future and yung kahalagahan din po na dapat kapag nagsisimula ka palang as a trainee, kailangan open ka lagi na andyan, may nagooversee sayo kumbaga habang you’re learning di ba? Isa yon sa mga natatandaan ko dun po sa seminar.” – Dhannilla Marie

Question 3: What impact did the lecture have on you?

“Mas naging aware po kami, about po sa kung paano ginagamot yung mga taong may ganung nararanasan. Then naipaliwanag, nadeliver naman po ng maayos, and yun, naging aware po kami.” – Jhon Rae

Back then po kasi I’ve been diagnosed with depression and anxiety po so the seminar had a big impact po talaga sa akin. Especially po yun sa topic kasi po mas nabigyan po ako ng more knowledge about mental health.” – Kim Angel

“Yung impact nya po sakin is kumbaga nagkaron din po ako ng mga reflections sa sarili ko. Like yung mga examples and mga experience na sinabi ni doc nung seminar, I tried to put myself like what if mangyari din sakin yon or makaencounter ako ng mga ganung bagay, I’m happy po on my behalf. Parang pakiramdam ko mentally I’m mentally ready pero syempre iba pa din yung kapag andun ka na sa sitwasyon na yon and I’m so thankful po dun sa mga nabigay na insights po sa amin kasi talagang magagamit po namin sya sa career path na gusto po namin.” – Dhannilla Marie

Question 4: What improvements would you suggest?

“For me po, ano parang, yes po pinapaliwanag po yung definitions, pero mas gusto ko po yung more on applying po, more on situationals po yung ipapaliwanag para mas nagegain po namin and pwede rin po naming magamit sa mga buhay buhay po namin. Mas okay po yun sa akin.” Jhon Rae

“More engagement po sa listeners like new set of questions na mas makakarelate po yung listeners, para magkaroon po ng more interaction yung speakers and listeners.” – Kim Angel

“Siguro po yung masasuggest ko sa seminar is yung longer preparation po for everyone. Since naging part din po ako to organize the seminar, parang mas okay po na talagang longer preparation para mas maging plantsado lahat po and syempre dahil iyun po yung pinakaunang seminar sa school year, syempre meron pa talagang improvement na mangyayare so mas maganda po kung mas mahaba yung pagpaplot ng plan, kailan po yung seminar, mas magiging okay po para mas plantsado po and hindi po ganun karush sa in behalf ng lahat ng tumutulong or under ng mga nagoorganize ng seminar and para po sa both partnership para mas mabigay pa po yung mga needs and mas matutukan din po yung mga kailangan pang iimprove po ganun.” – Dhannilla Marie